India’s stylish all-rounder Hardik Pandya has opted to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-over domestic tournament) to continue his rehabilitation programme and regain his fitness as a bowler.
"The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) had sent an e-mail to Hardik enquiring about his availability for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has rarely played for Baroda in last three years. However he gave a one-line reply that he is currently doing rehab in Mumbai," a senior official in BCA told PTI.
The intriguing part is that the official has claimed that the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) does not know the nature of injury which has forced him to skip the major tournament.
"Even the BCA doesn't know. It is understood that he is trying to do some strength and conditioning module for his back which is no longer in best of shape post surgery in 2019," the source revealed.
BCA instructs Krunal
Meanwhile, Hardik’s brother Krunal was also instructed by the state board to attend the camp and not just join them few days before the clashes.
"BCA told Krunal that he can't just land up during tournaments and he has to be a part of the camp. Then he came and trained with the team for a week," the source said.
Ineligible for selection
The 28-year-old will not be considered for selection if he does not play in the domestic tournaments. However, this won’t impact Hardik as earlier Sports Tak had reported that he has told selectors to not consider him for selection.
"The current national selection committee has told all the players that all those who are not in the India squad should go back and play domestic cricket -- Hazare and Ranji Trophy," the source added.
BCCI will announce ODI squad for South Africa tour later this month or early in January 2022. In Hardik’s absence, Venkatesh Iyer can be considered for selection as his replacement.
