• Source:JND
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T20 World Cup 2024 India Squad: Hardik Pandya will be the vice-captain of the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2024, a decision that was confirmed with the selection of the squad for the marquee event.

Hardik, who was out of action for a while due to an injury, made his return through IPL 2024 where he has had a tough time while captaining Mumbai Indians.

The star all-rounder has scored just 197 runs at a strike rate of 150.38 but the more concerning thing has been his bowling as he has taken just six wickets in 10 matches at an average of 42.16 and with an economy of 11.

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As Men in Blue hope for Pandya's return to form for the T20 World Cup, chief selector Ajit Agarkar defended the decision to pick him for the global event amid massive criticism.

Agarkar claimed that currently, the skillset Pandya brings to the table is rare.

“Nothing was discussed on vice-captaincy,” Agarkar said. “He (Pandya) has got through all games so far for Mumbai Indians. We have a month and a little bit for our first game. As long as he is fit, there is no replacement for what he can do.”

Pandya, who picked up an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup last year at home, was made Mumbai Indians' new captain and his performance was under observation considering his return after a long lay-off.

“He’s (Pandya) coming after a longish layoff. We are hoping he’s working on it. Especially the way he bowls, he’ll give (captain) Rohit a lot of balance and options,” Agarkar said.

Notably, Pandya was also part of the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia and contributed with `128 runs and picked up eight wickets.

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Pandya after replacing Rohit Sharma as MI's new skipper has faced massive backlash alongside the franchise and his inclusion in the World Cup squad was criticised by fans as well as experts.


India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan

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