Former India coach Ravi Shastri asked all-rounder Hardik Pandya to improve his fitness in order to play consistently in ODIs after his appearance in the T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Pandya, 30, recently guided India to T20 World Cup 2024 win as he was crucial with the ball in the final against South Africa and Shastri believes that his performance in the mega event recently would motivate him to reach peak fitness.
"I think [it's] very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So, whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well," Shastri told the ICC.
"But bowling becomes important. If he can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and bat the way he does, he will play in one-day cricket as well."
Pandya is currently playing in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka and helped the Blues win the series by claiming wins in the first two matches.
India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets via Duckworth Lewis System (DLS) in the second T20I on Sunday.
After being sent in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a respectable total of 161 for nine. Pathum Nissanka played confidently as the hosts scored 54 runs during the powerplay, although they lost the wicket of Kusal Mendis. Nissanka contributed 32 runs off 24 balls before being dismissed by Ravi Bishnoi.
Kusal Perera was outstanding and stood out among the home team’s batsmen. The left-hander brought momentum to the innings in the middle overs, scoring 53 runs off 34 balls with six fours and two sixes. Hardik Pandya struck twice in the 16th over, removing both Perera and Kamindu Mendis.
Sri Lanka couldn't maintain their momentum after Perera's dismissal, managing only 22 runs in the last four overs. Both Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga were dismissed for golden ducks. Bishnoi was the standout bowler for India, with figures of 4-0-26-3, while Arshdeep Singh took two wickets.
Rain threatened to disrupt India’s run chase right from the first over, but eventually, India was set a revised target of 78 in eight overs. They encountered early trouble when Sanju Samson was bowled for a golden duck by Maheesh Theekshana, who delivered an excellent ball.
Subsequently, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Suryakumar Yadav played aggressively to keep India on track. Matheesha Pathirana broke the partnership by dismissing Suryakumar for 26 runs off 12 balls. Jaiswal quickly scored 30 off 15 balls.
Hardik Pandya then ensured there were no further setbacks in the final overs, remaining unbeaten with 22 runs off nine balls. He finished the match by hitting Pathirana for a four through short third-man.
- Hardik Pandya
