'This proves that hype really works' - Fans burst in anger as Indian Cricket Board promotes Hardik despite being unavailable in Tests

The media reports have learned that the Indian Cricket Board has promoted star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s Contract to Grade A in the recent development on contracts. This move from the Board has left many people in the Indian cricketing fraternity in extreme shock. It is because the players in the Grade A column are the ones who play for India throughout all the formats of the game.

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On the other hand, Hardik played his last Test match at Southampton against England four years back in the year 2018. Since then, he couldn’t maintain his fitness and has continuously been unavailable for the team at the highest level of the game.

Meanwhile, fans are also unhappy following Hardik’s promotion after being available only for a single format. They took to Twitter to lash out at the 29-year-old and the Indian cricket Board also. Subsequently, the fans felt that it’s the hype that works apart from the talent or performance.

Here’s how fans reacted over Hardik’s promotion to Grade A:

He doesn't even play tests and ODIs. A for one format?

— Shobhit Kukreti (@KukretiShobhit) December 21, 2022

Promoted for playing just one format.

— Adii (@Aadi07MSDian) December 22, 2022

He only plays two formats with 8 months injury+ 2 month IPL and promoted to Grade A.

— Bharbhuti ji (@crickdevil) December 21, 2022

This proves that hype really works and can be officially monetised

— Durgesh Yadav (@iam_dk387) December 21, 2022

For taking rest after 2 series 🤣🤣🤣

— Rahul Singh (@RahulSinggghhh) December 21, 2022

Hardik recently appeared for India when he captained the team in the three-match series against New Zealand last month in November. He hasn’t played any ODI for team India since his last appearance in July against England.

Speaking of Baroda all-rounder's international career, he has played 11 Tests, 66 ODIs, and 81 T20Is with 532 Test runs, 1386 ODI runs, and 1160 T20I runs to his name. He has scored a Test century alongside 15 international half-centuries.

On the other hand, he has scalped 17 Test wickets, 63 ODI wickets, and 62 T20I wickets with the ball.

Notably, he led the new entrants Gujarat to the title triumph in their first-ever appearance in the Indian T20 League. They defeated the inaugural edition champions Rajasthan Royals in the final of the 15^th edition of the cash-rich Indian T20 tournament.