“Indian cricket should not give Hardik Pandya that much priority”- Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Indian cricket should not give Hardik Pandya that much priority, which he has received so far. Indian selectors are soon expected to announce the T20 World Cup and Pandya is almost a sure selection.

However, Pathan believes Pandya needs to prove his mettle at the International level as India hasn’t won a major ICC trophy for more than a decade. Pathan feels we are getting confused between International and IPL performances.

Pandya has been under the pump in the ongoing IPL 2024 while leading Mumbai Indians. MI has managed only three wins in nine matches and they are in ninth place in the standings.

Irfan Pathan said on the Star Sports press room, “Indian cricket needs to make it clear that they should not give him that much priority as they have given him so far, because we still haven’t won the World Cup.

“And if you think you are a primary all-rounder, you need to make that kind of an impact at the international level. We are getting confused between the IPL performances and the international performances.”

Meanwhile, Pandya suffered an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup and recently returned to action in the IPL. However, Pathan said Pandya can not pick and choose and he needs to consistently play for the national team. Pathan cited the example of Australia for backing the whole team.

“First of all, he needs to play throughout the full year. He cannot pick and choose. Stop giving preferences to individuals, if you do that, you will not be winning major tournaments.

“What Australia has been doing for many years is that they are actually preferring the team game. If you don’t do that, you will not win big tournament.”

Meanwhile, MI suffered a 10-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Saturday. Pandya was taken for 41 runs in the two overs he bowled and scored 46 runs off 24 balls.

Mumbai Indians will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday.