Xtra Time Web Desk: Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya has been under scanner in recent times ahead of T20 WC. The ace all-rounder is yet to start bowling for his franchise in the ongoing IPL 2021. Hardik himself is confident he will start bowling soon. Mumbai Indians next fixture in IPL 2021 is against Rajasthan Royals. It will be interesting if Hardik chose to bowl in the match.
Chetan Sharma led selection committee is keeping a close watch on his form. It has been 873 days since Hardik has last bowled in IPL. MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene had earlier declared that Hardik will not bowl in IPL 2021.
“At the moment if we push too hard (to bowl), he (Hardik) might be an issue where he might even struggle and might not be an asset as a batsman. We’re trying to do what’s best for Hardik, going forward. Whether he can bowl or not in the IPL is something we will have to look at,” Jayawardene had stated earlier.
Selectors are not too convinced about including Hardik as a batsman for the T20 WC. His performance with the bat too isn’t good enough. In 2021, he has scored at an average of 24.00 in T20Is, 23.80 in ODIs. In IPL 2021 his batting average is even poor at 13.57.