The Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is not looking 100% fit in the 2nd phase of IPL 2021. When the second leg started, Hardik missed a couple of matches as he was unfit. He was included in Mumbai’s playing 11 as a pure batter. A recent report in Cricbuzz says that coaches and selectors of Team India “feel the balance of the side gets upset with a Hardik Pandya’s one-dimensional skills.
The last time when Hardik bowled for Mumbai was away back in 2019. It’s been two years that Hardik hasn’t bowled for Mumbai.
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Hardik Pandya’s one-dimensional skills is big worry for Team India
Hardik Pandya is yet to bowl a single delivery. He missed the first couple of matches for MI. The last time he bowled in a T20I was against Sri Lanka in July. The reason for not bowling a single delivery is not yet completely explained. It is also believed that Hardik Pandya may not be playing XI for India in the first game of the T20 World Cup if he is unable to contribute with the ball.
Hardik’s contribution with the bat as well has been disappointing. He has scored 112 runs at an average of just 14 and a strike rate of around 114.
According to Cricbuzz’s latest reports “The thinking learned to be shared by the selectors as well, is that Pandya cannot make the XI just for his batting and he was taken into the squad for his proven all-round abilities.”
What is the other option if Hardik is unfit?
Shardul Thakur, who will be traveling with the team as reserves can be drafted anytime in the main squad if Hardik is unfit.
Elaborating the same, the reports said, “With a fit and in-form Shardul Thakur among the standbys and Jayawardene admitting that there are issues with Pandya’s bowling, questions are certain to be raised with Pandya at some stage.”
Former chief selector MSK Prasad reckons Hardik Pandya has to “justify his selection” in the Indian squad by bowling his quota of overs during the IPL. The right-hander has been struggling with the bat as well in IPL 2021
As per the quotes in Cricbuzz, MSK Prasad said. “He has regained his batting form which was good to see the other night (MI vs PBKS). I hope to see him bowl his quota of four overs in the last leg of the IPL. He justifies his selection in the World Cup squad.”
Mumbai is currently at the 6th spot in the points table where they have won 5 out of 12 matches. Rohit Sharma, himself had admitted that the batting hasn’t fired his year. That is one of the big reasons for Mumbai’s failure.
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