Vice-captain Hardik Pandya is set to join the Team India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on Sunday afternoon Eastern Time.
The Mumbai Indians captain who drew several criticisms from the fans after being roped in to lead the five-time champions has been vacationing overseas in an undisclosed location, as per a report in Cricbuzz. He was not present with the first batch of Team India squad that left for New York on Saturday.
Pandya flew out of India after Mumbai Indians finished their campaign with a wooden spoon in the IPL 2024. He will join the national squad in time for their first practice session in New York. The all-rounder will look to put his best foot forward in the marquee event after his disappointing run in the IPL 2024.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mark Boucher hoped that it would be a learning curve for Pandya. “A lot of the stuff that he”s going through is, personally, maybe a little uncalled for. It”ll certainly be a learning curve for Hardik as his growth in leadership. While times are tough now, a couple of things will pass and it”ll make him a tougher leader and it”ll certainly grow him in the role as well,” Boucher told a press conference after MI played their last game on May 17.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan are still to board the flight for the T20 World Cup 2024 after having featured in the Qualifier 2 of the IPL in Chennai on May 24. They will join the squad later along with Rinku Singh who will be featuring in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday night.
