Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has recently emphasized the importance of fitness for Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, advising him to participate in as many T20 matches as possible. Pandya’s fitness has been a recurring concern for the Indian team, with frequent injuries sidelining him from cricketing action.
Pandya’s fitness issues also played a role in his exclusion from consideration as India’s next T20 captain, following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Speaking to the ICC, Shastri highlighted the necessity for Pandya to focus on short format matches to regain his form and fitness before making a comeback in the ODI format.
‘I think (it’s) very important that he continues to play’ – Ravi Shastri
“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. But then again, bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in which you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he’ll play in one-day cricket as well,” Shastri noted.
Shastri also pointed out that Pandya is well aware of his body’s requirements and needs to focus on getting back to his optimal fitness level. He believes that Pandya should be self-motivated, especially considering his performance in the World Cup, where he delivered crucial performances for India.
“So I think it’s up to him really, more than anything else. He understands his body better than anyone. And I’m sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn’t need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there,” he added.
Shastri’s advice underscores the significant role fitness plays in an athlete’s career, especially for a key player like Pandya, whose presence and performance are vital for the Indian cricket team across formats.
