IND vs SL: With Hardik asking for more time off from ODI cricket, his bowling fitness will be under the radar for his Champions Trophy inclusion

IND vs SL: After the major upset in the Cricket World Cup 2023, India is now in the hunt for an ICC title in the game's longer format as they enter the Champions Trophy to be played in the upcoming year. India is to play six ODI matches, the first three against Sri Lanka and the next against England in January, before they proceed to the Champions Trophy.

India will likely make some changes to their ODI squad under new coach Gautam Gambhir and his chosen coaching staff. Hardik Pandya has been often credited as India?s best all-rounder; he has also shown his prowess in the shortest format of the game. Hardik was one of India?s leading performers in the T20 World Cup, and all thanks to his bowling geniuses, he led India to a historic victory in the World Cup.

Hardik?s fitness has always been a concern, and as a result, he has not been handed the role of T20I skipper for the Men in Blue. Hardik was last seen in the longest limited-overs format in the Cricket World Cup 2023, which he left midway through. Since then, Hardik has not been tested for his bowling prowess in the longer format.

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The Agarkar-led selection committee, alongside Gautam Gambhir, has already been making tough calls on the veteran all-rounder, as Hardik also has a record of being snubbed from the India team due to his inefficiency in bowling.

The selectors have made it clear that every player's performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year will hold great value in their team India selection for the Champions Trophy. Hardik?s batting does not have the same explosive intent as before, and the format also needs someone who can have a fair quota of their overs completed.

Hardik will be seen for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and if he can convince the selectors and the head coach with his bowling as well as batting prowess, then he might be included in the ODI Champions Trophy, so it is clearly stated that the MI skipper is not a must-pick in the longer format of limited-overs cricket.