The Mumbai Indians captain, under fire from fans for his underwhelming IPL showing, has been vacationing abroad. However, sources confirm he’s on his way to join the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.

The rest of the squad, led by Rohit Sharma, departed Mumbai for New York on Saturday night. Pandya missed the flight due to his overseas vacation following a challenging IPL season.

Despite the recent struggles, Pandya, the team’s vice-captain, will be available for the first practice session in New York. He’ll play a key role under Sharma’s leadership in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Pandya’s IPL Struggles and Coach’s Support

During the IPL, Hardik Pandya, facing criticism for his captaincy and performance in the IPL. Mumbai Indians finished last in the tournament. Head coach Mark Boucher expressed hope that these experiences would be a valuable learning opportunity for Pandya’s leadership development.

“It’s a tough time for him personally,” Boucher said at a press conference. “But these challenges will make him a stronger leader in the long run.”

Delayed Arrivals and Traveling Reserves

Some Indian players, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Avesh Khan, missed the initial flight due to their participation in the IPL playoffs. They, along with IPL finalist Rinku Singh (one of the traveling reserves), will join the team later.

Virat Kohli reportedly requested a delayed arrival, which the BCCI is considering.

The core squad, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and others, departed on Saturday night. Substitute players Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed are also part of the traveling contingent.

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