T20 World Cup 2024: Suresh Raina backs Hardik Pandya to perform against Pakistan

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina backed struggling Hardik Pandya to perform against Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which will be played in the United States and West Indies from June 1.

Pandya, 30, had a very poor Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign as he only managed to score 216 runs at an average of 18 and 143.04 strike rate this season and with the ball, he bagged 11 wickets. 

There were serious conversations on whether he should be selected for the World Cup or not but he was eventually named in the squad.

Despite all, Raina wasn’t concerned with Pandya’s form as he believed that people would forget about his poor IPL campaign once he performs against Pakistan in the mega event.

“He has done really well [for India]. Temporary poor form does not make someone bad. When he will perform well against Pakistan in the World Cup, everyone will praise him,” Raina said, as quoted by ANI.

After an underwhelming IPL run, it will be interesting to see how Pandya manages to perform in the World Cup as he would be under strict scrutiny throughout the tournament.

India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.

India’s squad for the World Cup

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), 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.

India T20 World Cup 2024 schedule

June 5, 2024: India vs Ireland — New York

June 9, 2024: India vs Pakistan — New York

June 12, 2024: USA vs India —New York

June 15, 2024: India vs Canada — Florida

Comments

Submit