Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya's decision to limit his bowling in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has raised concerns about his fitness and his readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June, USA and West Indies.
Cricketer-turned-commentator Harsha Bhogle has sparked a debate on Hardik Pandya's place in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, highlighting whether the MI star can contribute effectively as an all-rounder in the national team.
The all-rounder had sustained an ankle injury during last year's ODI World Cup and was sidelined till March. Indian Premier League 2024 served as a platform for Pandya to return to the cricketing field after a 4-month injury layoff. On his return, Hardik bowled in initial IPL matches for Mumbai but then stopped bowling.
Hardik bowled three overs against GT in his comeback game, giving away 30 runs in his spell. He bowled his four overs in MI's next match vs SRH but didn't bowl a single bowl in his next two IPL matches. The MI captain bowled only a single over against RCB on Thursday (April 11).
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Simon Doull highlightened Hardik’s reduced bowling workload: "You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in-game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He’s injured. I’m telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling."
Harsha Bhogle, who was alongside Doull, wondered if Hardik will play T20 World Cup 2024 in June if he isn't fit enough to bowl.
"If Hardik is not bowling, does Hardik make the T20 WC squad?" said Bhogle.
"Is he among the top six batters in India if he is not bowling? I’m not totally convinced of that because if he is not bowling and he is not finishing as powerfully, he needs to bat up, where all the competition is. So, for Hardik to go into the T20 WC, he has to be able to bowl four overs. I won’t be surprised if, coming out of that back injury, he is feeling a little ginger."