The bowling fitness of Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya worried the selection committee. Perhaps there could even be a change in the squad that was selected last month.
Hardik Pandya did not throw a single ball for the Mumbai Indians during the entire 2021 IPL. MI skipper Rohit Sharma said the all-rounder “is getting better day by day” but only the medical team will be able to provide the final update on his bowling fitness.
Hardik Pandya, who also had a disappointing IPL season with the bat, remains a crucial cog in the Indian line-up. India has only added three frontline pacemakers – Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami – to its T20 World Cup roster. For the time being, the selectors can only “wait and see” until October 15th.
Hardik Pandya (Image credit: Twitter)
“The voters will wait and see how Hardik develops over the next few days. The selectors only picked three real pacemakers because it was believed that Hardik would be fit enough to throw his quota of overs. Since he didn’t bow to the IPL at all, there is no form, “a BCCI official who was aware of the developments told the Times Of India.
It should also be noted that the deadline for submitting the final roster for the teams in the Super 12 phase is October 15th. October 10th was the deadline for teams playing in the Round 1 phase, which starts on the 17th.
“Teams can change their teams seven days before their support period begins. India’s support period begins with the Super 12, which begins October 23. So you have time to change teams by midnight October 15, ”an ICC source told TOI.
Hardik Pandya is running out of time as an all-rounder
While the source assured that Hardik Panya is unlikely to be removed from the roster even if he is unsuitable for bowling, they added that a change in the roster could be made to include either Deepak Chahar or Shardul Thakur as an additional Sailor take up. Both are in reserve and can offer lower strokes as well.
Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur. Picture twitter
Harshal Patel, the Purple Cap owner of the IPL 2021, may also be asked to stay in the UAE.
“It has not yet been decided whether Hardik will be dropped altogether if he doesn’t get ready to bowl. But as an all-rounder, time is running out. If either Thakur and Deepak get on there is a chance voters will ask Harshal Patel to stay in the UAE, ”added the BCCI source.
India will face Pakistan on October 24th in Dubai. You will then face New Zealand, Afghanistan and two other teams who qualify from Round 1 in the Super 12 phase.
