Who In The Country Is Better Than Pandya? MSK Prasad Backs Hardik's Selection In T20 WC 2024 Squad

Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad has backed the selection of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in India’s 15-member T20 World Cup 2024 squad, which was announced by the BCCI on Tuesday (April 30). After the 30-year-old cricketer was picked for the T20 World Cup, many former greats, experts of the game, and fans questioned his selection because of his poor show in the IPL 2024, but Prasad, who has also played in six Tests and 17 ODIs for India, backed the struggling all-rounder and said that there’s no better fast-bowling all-rounder in the country than Hardik, which is why it was a good decision to back him and pick for the 20-team megaevent starting in the USA and West Indies on June 1.

“I don’t think there is a second thought about Hardik’s inclusion and also being made the vice captain of the side. He was given the mantle of captaincy when Rohit was not there. So that clearly indicated that he was next in line for leadership. The selectors made the right decision by picking him,” Prasad was quoted as saying by RevSports.

“Tell me, who in the country now is a better fast bowling all-rounder than Hardik? Yes, he has been struggling with his form in recent times. But let us be fair as well; there is so much that has happened. The change of leadership in Mumbai, unfortunately, has affected his form as well. But once he puts on the Indian jersey, he can leave his IPL form behind. And once again, I repeat that Hardik Pandya is the best fast bowling all-rounder in the country now, no matter what the pundits say,” he added.

In the ongoing season of the IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya is playing for the Mumbai Indians after joining the franchise in a trade deal last year and has scored 198 runs in 11 matches played so far. With the ball, he has dismissed eight batters in nine innings.