As a bowler, Hardik Pandya is not in form: Aakash Chopra

Hardik Pandya seems to have lost a little track of his bowling skills after he got his back surgery done. After getting his surgery done, he bowled a few overs in India’s limited-overs series against England at home but didn’t find his comfort. Moving on to the 14^th edition of IPL, he didn’t roll his arm at all and remained out of bowling action.

Talking about India’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka, Pandya has bowled nine overs in two ODIs and has only a single wicket under his belt after conceding 54 runs. He seems to look out of form and former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shown concerns over the same issue. Chopra mentioned that it would be hard to say whether the Baroda cricketer is suffering due to the back surgery or is overall out of form.

“It doesn’t seem like (Whether Hardik Pandya is bowling fit.). Is it the form or fitness its tough to say for us from here. He hasn’t bowled for a long time. He bowled 2-4 overs against England (earlier in the year). He hasn’t bowled since, then. Didn’t bowl in the IPL either. He has almost made himself unavailable from Test cricket,” said Chopra while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Hardik Pandya is not in rhythm: Aakash Chopra

“It’s tough to judge him like this but he doesn’t look in form that’s for sure. He is not in rhythm, he’s bowling no-balls and it happens when you don’t have that bowling-related game time. Whether he is fit or not, only he can answer on how his body is responding. As a bowler, Hardik Pandya is not in form,” he added.

Moving further, Chopra stated that India should move up with the same set of the team in the third and final ODI. Though the men in blue have won the series, they shouldn’t give chances to fringe players in the final game as they will be eventually dropped in the T20Is which wouldn’t be good for them. The final ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played on July 23.