Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya finds himself at the centre of controversy over his limited bowling appearances in IPL 2024. This has led to questions about a potential undisclosed injury and its impact on his selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
A History of Injuries and Return to Action
Hardik’s recent bowling absence comes after a lengthy recovery period. An ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup sidelined him from October 2023 to mid-March 2024.
He missed the domestic season and subsequent white-ball series for India, returning to competitive cricket only in the DY Patil T20 tournament before the IPL. A key question surrounding his return was whether he could regain his bowling fitness for the T20 World Cup.
Initial Bowling Stint Followed by Abrupt Stop
Hardik initially appeared to dispel concerns by opening the bowling for MI in the first two IPL matches. However, he then opted out of bowling in the next two encounters, stating that “the team had it covered.” This decision raised eyebrows, particularly after his underwhelming performance in the one over he did bowl against Royal Challengers Bangalore, conceding 13 runs.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull weighed in on the situation, expressing his belief that Hardik is hiding an injury. “You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required,” Doull said in a Cricbuzz interview. “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.” Doull’s comments highlight the growing speculation surrounding Hardik’s fitness.
Bowling Struggles and World Cup Implications
Hardik’s bowling performance in the limited overs he has bowled this season has been far from impressive. In eight overs across three matches, he has managed only one wicket at a concerning economy rate of 11.20. This raises further questions about his bowling form and ability to contribute as a genuine all-rounder in the T20 World Cup.
Doull emphasized the importance of bowling for Hardik’s World Cup selection. “Harsha (Bhogle) questioned if Hardik can make the T20 World Cup squad purely as a batter, and I shook my head,” Doull said. “He later responded with a ‘yes’ when his colleague said that MI star needs to bowl four overs to stay in contention for the India squad.”
With the T20 World Cup approaching, the cloud of uncertainty surrounding Hardik Pandya’s fitness and bowling form continues to loom. Whether he is indeed concealing an injury or simply adopting a strategic approach with his bowling remains unclear. One thing is certain: Hardik will need to address these concerns and showcase his bowling prowess if he aspires to secure a coveted spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
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