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The former Pakistan player Salman Butt took a dig on Hardik Pandya’s body and said that the all-rounder needs to put on some muscle by weight training and proper diet.
Three seasons back, Hardik Pandya was reckoned to be the future of Indian cricket – some even went to the extent of comparing him with the legendary Kapil Dev. Now, things have changed for the Indian all-rounder. Injuries and fitness issues have kept him away from international cricket and going ahead things look bleak.
“Hardik Pandya’s body is so weak that he can’t even survive in a single format. He needs to put on some muscle by weight training and proper diet. Ravi Shastri recently said Pandya should go back and work hard so that he is able to bowl 4 overs. That means he can’t even bowl 4 overs properly at the moment,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Salman Butt was one of the players who was punished for his involvement in the spot-fixing scandal in the 2010 Test match against England at Lord's and was banned from cricket for almost 10 years. He played for Pakistan national team between 2003 and 2010.
Marred by injuries, Hardik underwent surgery for his back which has continuously resurfaced, leaving him in a tough spot. He has gone out of favour with the national selectors, in spite of displaying some good performances. But injuries spare none.
Although the comparisons are far-fetched, Hardik’s potential with the bat in the death overs and his medium-pace bowling could have proved to be extremely influential in India’s white-ball success. Unfortunately, his constant bouts with fitness haven’t done him a whole lot of good.
Hardik, who was last seen in the T20 WC, did not make himself available for selection for the South African tour and was not part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. Also, due to these problems, despite his reputation as a match-winner – he was retained by Mumbai Indians.
In all probability, Hardik would be up for auction in February and would be hoping he can start afresh. It would be interesting to see if franchises are willing to gamble on him considering his history with injuries.
