All-rounder Hardik Pandya injured, taken for precautionary scans.
T20 World Cup 2021: Team India’s unbeaten winning run in the World Cup’s against Pakistan was on last night interrupted by the Babar Azam-led Men in Green as they sealed their first-ever World Cup victory against India by a massive 10 wickets in Dubai International Stadium. Though there is nothing much to bother for the Indian team, as it was just the opening match, however, an injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be a concern for the Men in Blues.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya has injured his shoulder while batting against Pakistan and is taken for precautionary scans. He didn’t take the field due to his injured shoulder and his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate Ishan Kishan attended the field as Pandya’s substitute.
While the extent of his shoulder injury is not yet known, the sources in the know of the development reckon that Hardik will be rested for the upcoming matches due to his inability to bowl.
“Hardik Pandya was hit on his right shoulder while batting. He has now gone for scans,” the BCCI’s media team said as quoted by news agency PTI.
The swashbuckling all-rounder managed to amass 11 runs from his eight deliveries against Pakistan. He scored two fours during his stay at the crease before he was dismissed by pacer Haris Rauf.
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Need of sixth bowling option:
Team India definitely felt the need for a sixth bowling option in the last match against Pakistan. Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were taken for runs by the Pakistani batters in the chase of a modest total. Shami went for 43 runs in his 3.5 overs while Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded 25 runs from his three overs.
The sixth bowling option could have done the trick for India by chipping in the middle overs and delivering a couple of overs that could have reduced stress on other bowlers as well.
The reports of Hardik’s shoulder scans are awaited and team India will take further decisions on the grounds of those reports. It is likely that even though Hardik is considered fit, he may have to warm the benches for the rest of the matches and make way for Shardul Thakur or any other players who can do the job.
Team India in its next assignment will play against New Zealand on 31st October in Dubai International Stadium. The challenge is huge against the Men in Blue as their Net Run Rate has taken a dip after the last humiliating defeat against Pakistan. India stands at a poor net run rate of -0.973 and will have to play out in margins to cover up the loss.
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