Former Indian cricket coach Ravi Shastri has advised all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize match fitness after Pandya was snubbed from the T20I captaincy due to ongoing fitness issues. Shastri emphasized the importance of playing as many T20 matches as possible to improve his fitness and regain a spot in the ODI setup. The chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted that the decision was based on the need for a consistently available player, which Pandya has struggled with due to injuries dating back to 2018. Shastri noted that if Pandya can consistently bowl his full quota of overs, he would be a strong candidate for selection in the ODI team. Despite the captaincy setback, Shastri believes Pandya's recent performances in the ICC T20 World Cup should serve as motivation for him to stay fit and perform at his best. Pandya is currently part of the T20 squad for the Sri Lankan tour and has been advised to focus on his fitness to secure his position in the team moving forward.