All-rounder Hardik Pandya to begin bowling from next week, says Rohit Sharma.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Team India’s vice-captain and Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma, after his last match in the Vivo IPL 2021, gave an important update on all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s bowling fitness. MI put up a daunting show in its final IPL 2021 match against SRH and was comfortably able to win the match by 42 runs, however, the team failed to reach the playoffs due to a poor net run rate.
Sharma reckons that the medical team is closely working with Hardik and after their assessment, the all-rounder will get clearance to bowl. It is important to note that Hardik Pandya didn’t bowl a single delivery in the entire Vivo IPL 2021. Interestingly, the all-rounder was not allowed to bowl in the IPL 2020 owing to his recurring back injuries.
“He is getting better day by day, so in the next week or so he might be able to bowl. Only the doctors and physios will be able to give an update on that,” said Rohit Sharma giving an update on Hardik Pandya’s fitness.
“In terms of his bowling, he hasn’t bowled yet. So, the physios, trainers and the medical team are working on his bowling. As of now, all I know is that he hasn’t bowled a single ball yet but we wanted to take one game at a time and see where he stands,” he added.
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The decorated batsman backed the all-rounder despite a poor outing in the UAE and said that the entire management believes in Hardik’s abilities. Pandya managed to score 127 runs in 12 IPL 2021 matches with a poor average of 14.11.
“As far as his batting is concerned, yes, he will be a little bit disappointed. We know his quality, there is no doubt about that and he has come back from tough situations before as well. Personally, for him, he will not be happy with his batting. The team has confidence in his ability,” Rohit said.
Players like Hardik are just one match away from their good form and everyone has seen that in past, added Rohit Sharma in support of the all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya will be seen donning an Indian jersey in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021. His inability to bowl and fire will be a concern for the Indian management.
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