Hardik Pandya to fly to New Zealand: BCCI has decided to sent the all-rounder to join the senior team in New Zealand.
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India all-rounder Hardik Pandya will board the plane to New Zealand to join the senior team for the limited-overs tour ‘at the earliest’. The development came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India lifted the ban on the 25-year old cricketer and India opening batsman Lokesh Rahul, who was also suspended alongside Pandya.
The duo were suspended after their misogynist comments on renowned chat show Koffee With Karan created a furore across various social media platforms.
Good to see there is some activity with Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The forced indecision was helping nobody. There must still be a hearing and a verdict but like with Ben Stokes, pending that, they should be free to play. India ‘A’ would be a good restart.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 24, 2019
Hardik Pandya to fly to NZ asap. With Kohli returning after the third match, much needed though their roles are different. Rahul to play for India A v England Lions
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 24, 2019
India are currently in Mount Maunganui where they will face New Zealand in the second and third ODI to be played on Saturday and Monday respectively. While there is no confirmation on whether Pandya will feature in the second ODI or not, he seems highly likely to play the third ODI.
India captain Virat Kohli travelling back home after the third ODI had meant that the selectors could send one out of these two to New Zealand. Pandya, who is vital for India’s campaign in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, was more likely to be given that privilege and it happened.
The last time Pandya played any form of cricket for India was during the Asia Cup in September last year. Coming on the back of a four-month break now, Pandya would be eager to stand tall on his potential and make the most of this opportunity.
#BreakingNews: BCCI lifts the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul pic.twitter.com/8TmQLA27fB
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) January 24, 2019
Won’t complain much about the Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul verdict but had it been announced yesterday, KL Rahul could have played the #RaniiTrophy Semis
— Cricholic (@RyanMat88384306) January 24, 2019
On the other hand, Rahul has been named in the India A squad which is currently playing against England Lions at Thiruvananthapuram. With the second of the five-match series being played today, Rahul will join the team for the last three matches to be played on January 27, 29 and 31.
Coming on the back of a lean patch in the Test series against Australia, Rahul would be keen to find form instantly for loads of runs might aid him in getting back to the ODI squad ahead of the World Cup.
