Ravi Shastri suggests how Hardik Pandya should plan his ODI comeback: 'Then the balance of side takes a hit'

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Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain of the Indian side which won the T20 World cup 2024 last month in Barbados. He was also Rohit Sharma's deputy in the ODI World Cup 2023.

One would have expected that the star all-rounder would take over the T20I captaincy of India after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format, however Suryakumar Yadav pipped him for the role. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained the decision by stating that Hardik Pandya's fitness was a concern.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has now suggested Hardik Pandya to play all the T20I matches coming his way to prove his fitness and get back strongly in the ODI team. Hardik's last ODI appearance came in October 2023.

"I think (it's) very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well," Shastri said while speaking on the ICC review.

Ravi Shastri made it clear that Hardik Pandya would be helpful for the team in ODIs only if he bowls 8 to 10 overs in each game. He added that Hardik's stellar performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 will inspire him to get going in the ODIs as well.

"But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," he added.

"So I think it's up to him really, more than anything else. He understands his body better than anyone. And I'm sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn't need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there," Shastri said.

Hardik Pandya is part of the India squad for the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka. However, he will be absent from the ODI leg. As per reports, the 30-year-old had asked selectors not to pick him for the ODIs due to personal reasons.