File photo of Hardik Pandya© BCCI
Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes that Indian cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya has suffered an injury but he is not admitting it. The comment came after Hardik opened the bowling for Mumbai Indians in the first two matches in IPL 2024 but refrained from bowling a single delivery in the next two encounters. During the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, Hardik bowled a single over but did not come back after conceding 13 runs. Doull said that there is something wrong with Hardik and it is his ‘gut feeling’ that the all-rounder may be suffering from some injury.
“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,” Doull said on Cricbuzz.
Hardik was earlier asked about his decision to not bowl during the match against Delhi Capitals but the Mumbai Indians skipper said that he will be bowling at the ‘right time’.
“All good, will be bowling at the right time. Had it covered, so didn’t need to roll my arm over,” Hardik said.
Hardik was out of action for quite some time after suffering an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh and he just played a couple of matches before taking the field in IPL 2024. An injury can a problem considering the fact that the T20 World Cup 2024 is just round the corner.
Ahead of the new IPL season, Hardik also replaced Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians skipper and that led to a section of the crowd booing him during the MI games. However, Virat Kohli was not happy about the reaction and during the match on Thursday, he asked the crowd to cheer the all-rounder.
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