Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene on Friday stated the crew is in no hurry to drive Hardik Pandya to bowl within the IPL because the all-rounder could should “struggle” if he works laborious, resulting in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His outing may very well be in jeopardy.
After lacking the primary two matches within the second leg of the event, Hardik performed for MI purely as a batsman.
This has raised questions over his choice in India’s T20 World Cup squad, with the chairman of selectors saying that Hardik is absolutely match to bowl on the marquee occasions in UAE and Oman beginning October 17.
But Jayawardene felt in any other case and stated that the Mumbai franchise is in fixed contact with the Indian crew’s assume tank concerning Hardik.
“He (Hardik) hasn’t bowled for a very long time, so we’re simply making an attempt to do our greatest for Hardik. We are in fixed contact with the Indian crew administration on Hardik’s case.
“Whether he’ll bowl within the IPL or not, we’ll see each day. I feel in the intervening time that if we push him too laborious, he would possibly wrestle. “
Since getting back from his again surgical procedure in 2019, Hardik has not been bowling as a lot as he used to. However, he bowled often through the five-match T20I sequence towards England in March this 12 months earlier than turning his hand as soon as within the upcoming three-match ODI sequence as a part of his workload administration.
But he didn’t bowl within the first leg of the IPL in India and remained unplayed within the UAE as nicely.
Mumbai have received only one out of the 4 matches right here and are going through a second leg nightmare. The defending champions are at the moment outdoors the highest 4, fifth within the standings with 10 factors from 11 matches.
The Rohit Sharma-led facet would look to remain within the race for the play-offs after securing their maiden win within the second leg.
“It was crucial to get the win below the belt. We are as excited as we had been in the beginning of the event. We did plenty of good issues in our final match however nonetheless plenty of enchancment is required.
“We have to play our best cricket to make it to the top four,” Jayawardene stated.
Batting has been a serious disappointment for the five-time IPL champions, with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav battling badly with scores of 0, 8, 5, 3 within the UAE leg.
“He (Surya) is a very important player for us but many cricketers including me go through such phases. I understand he has a good focus and it is just about spending time on the beach,” stated the coach.
Jayawardene agreed that this season within the UAE is sort of completely different from final 12 months’s and the T20 World Cup would have been designed preserving that in thoughts.
“The surfaces are somewhat completely different from final 12 months. We are seeing further grass. Presumably, that is finished to guard surfaces because the T20 World Cup is simply three weeks away.
“The T20 World Cup is a neutral tournament, an ICC event so they are just trying to get the best possible surface,” he stated.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
