Dav Raises Concerns Over Pandya's Absence from Domestic White-Ball Cricket

Former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore has voiced his disappointment over the exclusion of Hardik Pandya from the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. Whatmore's remarks shed light on Pandya's recent struggles, including a lacklustre IPL season with Mumbai Indians and being sidelined from the ODI World Cup due to injury.

Pandya's recent challenges have raised eyebrows, including his omission from the T20I captaincy in favour of Suryakumar Yadav. Despite being a key player, Pandya has not been actively participating in domestic white-ball cricket for quite some time.

Whatmore criticised the inconsistency in Pandya's national recognition versus his absence in domestic formats, stressing the importance of players not neglecting first-class cricket.

Pandya is expected to make a return to domestic cricket, potentially featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the upcoming season. The BCCI is focused on ensuring players engage in all formats, including the Ranji Trophy, to enhance their overall skill set.

In essence, Whatmore's critique underscores the importance of player engagement in domestic cricket and the need for a balanced approach in format participation, especially considering Pandya's prominence on the international stage.