Debasis Sen, Dubai: In what comes as a huge relief for the Indian team management, star all rounder Hardik Pandya bowled at the nets here at the ICC academy on Wednesday. Hardik, who has been troubled with lower back spasm has been not bowling in recent times as a precautionary measure. He did not bowl at the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) as well for Mumbai Indians.
Hardik also got hit in his right shoulder by a short ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi during the first game against Pakistan in T20 World Cup and had to be rushed for scans. The reports revealed the injury was not serious. He was seen undergoing some fitness drills under the watchful eyes of Physio Nitin Patel and assistant trainer Soham Desai. The fitness drills went for 15-20 minutes. Hardik was seen taking a few long sprints and did not look in any concern. He later walked into bowl at the nets against Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur. Head Coach Ravi Shastri and mentor MS Dhoni was closely following him while he was bowling at the nets.
There has been lot of talks about Hardik not bowling in recent times. He was last seen bowling for India in the series against Sri Lanka. He bowled for two overs and picked one wicket in a T20 match.
Hardik was also seen taking thrown downs from batting coach Vikram Rathore. With Hardik ready to bowl it provides the team management with the sixth bowling option.
Indian captain Virat Kohli said a few days back that Hardik will be in a physical condition to bowl at least a couple of overs.
“Well, I honestly feel that Hardik Pandya presently with his physical condition is getting better in terms of being prepared to bowl at least two overs for us at a certain stage in this tournament and we strongly believe we can make the most of the opportunity we have at our hand till the time he starts bowling. We have considered a couple of other options to chip in with overs so we are not bothered about that all,” said Kohli during a virtual pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Pakistan.