Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli were notably absent from the initial group of Team India players who set off for New York in preparation for the T20 World Cup.
The initial contingent of Indian cricketers, led by captain Rohit Sharma and featuring all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, gathered at Mumbai airport for their departure to the USA in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, commencing on June 1. Accompanying them were fellow team members Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, alongside the support staff and head coach Rahul Dravid. Together, they are gearing up for India’s pursuit of a second T20 World Cup championship title.
Initial reports suggested that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were part of the initial group of players departing for the T20 World Cup. However, Kohli was notably absent from the group when they were spotted. The team is set to travel from Mumbai to Dubai before catching a connecting flight to New York.
Alongside Kohli, another notable absentee from the initial group was Hardik Pandya. Initially, it was anticipated that Hardik would join the first batch of players departing for the USA, especially considering his team, the Mumbai Indians, exited the IPL playoffs early. However, only three other Mumbai Indians players – Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah – were observed disembarking the team bus and posing for photographs.
Hardik has faced a series of challenges over the past few months, including a difficult IPL season with the Mumbai Indians, where the team finished at the bottom of the league under his captaincy. Speculations about turmoil in Hardik’s personal life have also surfaced.
Rumors suggest that the all-rounder may have experienced relationship issues with his wife, Natasa Stankovic, though neither has officially addressed these speculations. Reports indicate that Hardik is currently in London for a brief training period and is expected to join the national team directly from there.