Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has urged all-rounder Hardik Pandya to improve fitness. Shastri said Pandya should play as much as he can in T20I cricket. After winning the T20 World Cup, Pandya was rested for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

The all-rounder was included in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka but was rested from ODI series due to personal reasons.

“I think (it’s) very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well,” Shastri said on ICC review.

Shastri added it is important for Pandya to bowl his quota of overs in T20Is as well as ODIs.

“But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he’ll play in one-day cricket as well,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pandya returned with figures of 2-23 in the two overs he bowled in the second T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele on Sunday after going wicketless in the opening game. 

The former Indian all-rounder said Pandya should not need any motivation to keep his fitness at the top.

“So I think it’s up to him really, more than anything else. He understands his body better than anyone. And I’m sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn’t need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there,” Shastri said.

Pandya was expected to be India’s new T20I skipper but he was ignored by the selectors and the team management due to fitness issues.

The third and final T20I of the series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.