Former Indian Pacer Praveen Kumar criticized the Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya for prioritizing IPL over national and domestic cricket ahead of the IPL 2024 season.
Praveen Kumar Blasts Hardik Pandya
Former India pacer Praveen Kumar slammed Mumbai Indians captain, Hardik Pandya ahead of the IPL 2024. He questioned Hardik’s willingness to play domestic cricket and represent the Indian team.
While speaking in an interview Praveen Kumar said, “You get injured two months before the IPL, you don’t play for the country, you don’t play for your state in domestic cricket, and just directly play in the IPL.”
“That’s not how things should be done. It’s okay to earn money, there’s nothing wrong with that. But you have to play for state and country and now people only give importance to the IPL).”
The Indian All-rounder Hardik Pandya is set to make his return to cricketing careers through IPL 2024 after suffering an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh.
Hardik Pandya joined the franchise for the pre-camp season on March 11 and started to bat in the nets for the first time.
Hardik Pandya joined Mumbai Indians on a transfer deal before the IPL 2024 auction and was later named as the captain of the franchise.
Hardik Pandya who made his IPL debut in 2013 has played 92 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians before moving to Gujarat Titans in 2022. Hardik was named as the captain of the Gujarat Titans for the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Under his captaincy, Gujarat won their first IPL title in 2022 and ended up as runner-up of the tournament in the 2023 season.
Praveen also suggested that the franchise could’ve gone with Rohit Sharma as captain for IPL 2024.
Yes, Rohit can do it. Not only for one year, but he can do it for two years, or three years. But eventually, the decision lies in the hands of the management,” said Praveen Kumar.
The 17th edition of the IPL 2024 is set to commence on March 22 with CSK and RCB set to play in the first match of the campaign.
Mumbai Indians will be playing their first match against Gujarat Titans on March 24 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
