In what is almost official, Hardik Pandya will mostly make a comeback in the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. After missing the majority of World Cup games and the South Africa tour, one expected the all-rounder to be fit for India’s T20 series against Afghanistan, however, the 30-year-old will take more to recover and rehabilitate.
After playing the T20 series against Afghanistan, India will play a five-match Test series against England. Pandya is currently not in the Test scheme of things. After the England series attention shifts to IPL 2024 season in April and May. According to TOI reports citing BCCI sources, Pandya is likely to play a full season of IPL for Gujarat Titans.
The all-rounder, who is also the captain of the IPL franchise, will now aim to come back in form IPL ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to commence on June 04 in the USA and West Indies.
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Hardik Pandya eyes roaring comeback in IPL 2024 season, focus on T20 WC
Pandya’s absence was badly felt by the Indian team in the finals of the World Cup, as the six batters’ five bowlers combination badly impacted the team. The GT captain perfectly balances the team owing to his impact with bat, ball, and on the field. Proof of that was visible when India won the Asia Cup and the three-match ODI series against Australia before the WC.
Pandya’s inclusion also allows India to play either extra batter or bowler in the team. With the all-rounder also the captain of the T20 format for India, Pandya’s full fitness is vital for India as they aim to finally break the ICC trophy drought which has seen them going without the silverware for 10 years now. In the last T20 WC, the all-rounder played a crucial part in India reaching the semis of the WC.