'In Constant Touch With Indian Team': MI Coach Mahela Jayawardene Reveals Why Hardik Pandya Is Not Bowling In IPL

After missing the first two games of IPL 2021 Phase 2, Hardik Pandya made a comeback but played only as a batsman and did not bowl.

New Delhi: So far the journey of defending champions Mumbai Indians in IPL 2021 has been very ordinary as the 'big names' and 'young talent', both have failed to deliver, especially in the UAE leg of the tournament.

Mumbai's hard-hitting all-rounder Hardik Pandya's performance has also been average. After missing the first two games of IPL 2021 Phase 2, Hardik Pandya made a comeback but played only as a batsman and did not bowl. After this, fans and cricket pundits raised questions about his selection in India's T20 World Cup squad.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene on Friday said that the team management is in no hurry to push Hardik Pandya to bowl in IPL as it could jeopardise his outing in the upcoming T20 World Cup.“He (Hardik) hasn’t bowled for a long period of time, so we are just trying to do the best for Hardik. We are in constant touch with the Indian team management on Hardik’s case,” he told reporters ahead of Mumbai's next match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

“Whether he will bowl in the IPL or not we will look on a daily basis. I feel at the moment if we push him too hard, he might struggle.”

Ever since undergoing a back surgery in 2019, Hardik hasn't bowled as much. He bowled during India vs England five-match T20I series in March but did not bowl in IPL phase 1 in India and now is only being used as a batsman in the UAE leg of the tournament as well.

“Getting the win under out belt was very important. We are as charged up as we were at the start of the tournament. We did a lot of good things in our last game but still a lot of improvements needed.

“We will have to play our best cricket to make it to the top four,” Jayawardene said.