Pandya picked, then rested

New Delhi, November 10

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was today rested for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka with BCCI citing “heavy workload” as the reason despite his initial selection. The selectors did not name any replacement for Pandya. The BCCI media release said that considering Pandya’s heavy workload, he was being rested to negate the possibility of any injury.

In the last T20I against New Zealand, Pandya had hurt his hand while stopping a full-blooded shot off his own bowling.

“The selection committee, in consultation with the team management, has decided to rest all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Pandya was named in the squad for the first two Tests,” read the BCCI media release. “Considering Pandya’s heavy recent workload, the decision was made to negate any possibility of a major injury concern. Pandya will undergo a period of strength and conditioning at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.” 

Since the beginning of the Champions Trophy in June, Pandya has played three Tests, 22 ODIs and five T20 Internationals —  second only to skipper Virat Kohli in terms of first XI appearances. However, BCCI did not clarify why the selectors picked him initially before “resting him”.  When contacted, chief selector MSK Prasad refused to comment, citing protocol.

Pandya had a memorable Test debut in Sri Lanka, where he scored 178 runs, including a century and a half-century.

Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), KL Rahul, M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma.  — PTI