T20 World Cup: Indian team management to adopt a “wait and watch” approach for Hardik ahead of NZ tie

Xtra Time Web Desk: In what comes as a huge relief for the Indian team, scan reports of Hardik Pandya is nothing serious. The all rounder should be okay ahead of Team India’s next clash against New Zealand on October 31.

Hardik sustained a shoulder injury during the T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan. Pandya, who did not bowl in the IPL last month, is playing only as a batter right now and scored 11 off 8 balls on Sunday night, looking distinctly uncomfortable against pacers before being hit on the shoulder by a short ball.

According to the team sources, the medical team will be assessing Hardik’s fitness in the practice sessions leading in the next few days.

Pandya had recently said that he would be bowling during the knock-out stages.

India’s chances in the tournament hinge on the New Zealand game. Losing the match would seriously jeopardise their prospects of going ahead in the tournament. The games against Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan are expected to be easy wins for India, Pakistan and New Zealand.

Therefore, if India lose to New Zealand, it will hamper their chances of making it to the top two in the group. In this scenario, Pandya’s fitness issues have seriously affected India’s balance.

In fact, there are questions being raised about chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma assertions that Pandya will be bowling in the IPL to gear up for the World Cup. He didn’t bowl an over and the communication on Pandya’s fitness status between the team management and selectors seems baffling at this time.

There have been conflicting reports about when he would start bowling. Before the Pakistan game, the player said that he would perhaps bowl in the knock-outs but the statement did not look convincing.

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By: XtraTime
Title: T20 World Cup: Indian team management to adopt a “wait and watch” approach for Hardik ahead of NZ tie
Sourced From: xtratime.in/t20-world-cup-indian-team-management-to-adopt-a-wait-and-watch-approach-for-hardik-ahead-of-nz-tie/
Published Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 08:14:20 +0000

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