'Conversation of the IPL should not be even happening' - Irfan Pathan tips Hardik Pandya's form to be 'crucial' at T20 World Cup

India will aim to end their 11-year-long draught for ICC Silverware as they step into the West Indies and United States of America for T20 World Cup 2024. Indian Team is led by Rohit Sharma and the Head Coach Rahul Dravid will look to end his tenure on a high note. Dravid as a coach was exceptional in the bilateral series but could not replicate the same as India lost T20 World Cup 2022 and 50 over World Cup 2023 under his coaching.

The present Indian team is marred by the tussle for leadership as Rohit and Hardik Pandya have become a point of concern. Pandya took over Rohis as the captain of Mumbai Indians and is deemed his successor in the Indian team after being named vice-captain for the T20 World Cup 2024. Former Indian pacer, Irfan Pathan feels the primary job for Dravid will be containing IPL’s dismal form spill on players like Hardik Pandya.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli reaches New York, warm-up game participation uncertain

“I will not even discuss this. Whatever happened has happened. I will just say that this is my expectation from you: I want you to win matches for India. This is the roadmap, and you are an important part of the team and a match-winner. Being an all-rounder, I will say he will play a crucial role. How many fast bowlers have we taken? Just three specialist bowlers, besides Hardik and Shivam Dube,” said Pathan as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“So when the time comes, these 3-4 overs will become very crucial. Remember, he will allow us to play an extra spinner in West Indies when we play day games. So this is where he comes into the picture, he needs to feel good and believe that he can make a contribution and hence the conversation of the IPL should not be even happening even once,” he added.

India will look to ease into Super-8 stage of World Cup

India are placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2024 alongside teams like Pakistan, Ireland, United States of America, and Canada. The top two teams from the group will find their spots in the Super-8 stage of the tournament. India will commence their tournament with a game against Ireland on June 5 in New York. The game will be followed by a much-hyped Indo-Pak encounter on June 9 at the Nassau County Stadium in New York.