'Overseas experience necessary': Jay Shah clears air on Hardik Pandya's WC ‘selection pressure’ reports

BCCI announced Team India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 and as soon as the team was announced, many questions were raised by the fans as well as ex-cricketers regarding a few of the choices. While players like Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh were snubbed, Hardik Pandya, who was out of action for close to four months before IPL, was picked in the squad and was also named as vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.

BCCI chief Ajit Agarkar, while addressing a press conference on team selection had stated that Hardik Pandya's selection was made due to a lack of quality alternatives but a report in Dainik Jagran revealed that neither Ajit Agarkar nor Rohit Sharma was in favour of picking Hardik Pandya in the team. Still, he was named in the squad due to 'pressure' on the selection committee.

In a recent conversation with Times of India, BCCI secretary Jay Shah opened up on Hardik Pandya's selection and stated that he was picked on the basis of his overseas experience.

"It has a good balance between form and experience. The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary," Jay Shah said.

Hardik Pandya's form in IPL 2024

Hardik Pandya was named as the skipper of Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 and as soon as the news broke out, he found himself at the receiving end from the loyal Mumbai Indians fans as fans wanted Rohit Sharma to continue as skipper.

What added more fuel to the fire was Mumbai Indians' horrific show in the IPL 2024. Mumbai Indians became the first team to be knocked out from IPL 2024 and sit at the bottom of the points table with 4 wins from 13 games so far.

Speaking about Hardik's individual for in the IPL 2024, The MI skipper has scored 200 runs from 13 games and has taken 11 wickets which is definitely not as per his standards.