‘Clear message’ for Hardik: Gambhir reveals what he must do to return to Team India
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that all-rounder Hardik Pandya must prove his fitness and play domestic cricket before returning to the national squad. The coach emphasized a structured path to recovery to avoid overexertion.
Why it matters
Clarifies the selection criteria for high-profile athletes and the strategic development of seam-bowling all-rounders in Indian cricket.
NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that Hardik Pandya will have to build his way back into international cricket through game time, with the all-rounder currently not part of India's squads after not playing enough cricket since the IPL.Following India's 127-run win over Afghanistan in the third T20I in New Delhi on Thursday, Gambhir said Pandya's immediate priority should be getting back on the field, including through the India A series, before pushing for a return to the senior sides."Hardik at the moment cannot bowl 10 overs, and he hasn't played a lot of cricket since the IPL, so we don't want to push him into international cricket because international cricket can be extremely tough on your body as well," Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.The India head coach also revealed that the message to Pandya has been straightforward: play, regain match fitness and…
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