Will Hardik Pandya Find a Place in the Playing XI for IND vs NZ 3rd ODI?
Now that Hardik Pandya is back in the mix, it looks tough for Vijay Shankar to hold onto his place in the team.
Things seem to be going back to normal for all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The 25-year-old cricketer found himself in the soup after he made misogynist comments on a famous talk show, Koffee With Karan Season 6. The all-rounder was subsequently suspended along with the teammate KL Rahul, who also appeared on the show. Now, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the suspension on the duo and Pandya has been directed to join the team in New Zealand ahead of the third One-Day International (ODI). New Zealand Police Trolls Home Team After Back to Back Defeats Against India, Here's the Viral Post
After Pandya’s suspension another all-rounder Vijay Shanker was added to the squad. Shankar played against Australia in the last ODI and was part of playing XI against New Zealand as well. Though he did not get an opportunity to bat, Shankar did a decent job with the ball in these three games. However, he has gone wicketless. Now that Pandya is back in the mix, it looks tough for Shankar to hold onto his place in the team.
Pandya is India’s first choice all-rounder and is likely to be preferred over Shankar any day. However, Pandya looks uncertain to make it to the playing XI straightaway for the third ODI against the Blackcaps. The Mumbai Indians all-rounder last played against Pakistan in September last year. During that match, Pandya suffered an injury and was subsequently out of action for close to three months. Hardik Pandya to Join Team for Current Series in New Zealand, KL Rahul to Be With India A, After COA Lifts Ban on Cricketers
Pandya was added to the fourth Test squad against Australia but did not make it to the playing XI. He was certain to make a comeback in the ODI Series, but Koffee With Karan controversy happened and the all-rounder missed the series.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 27, 2019 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).