T20 World Cup 2021: Hardik Pandya to undergo another net-test before being available for bowling

The Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was spotted bowling in nets on Wednesday, October 27. This came in as a great sigh of relief for the Indian team as it created hopes of him bowling in the match against New Zealand. However, it has now been reported that the all-rounder will have to undergo another fitness test before he takes the charge of the ball on Sunday.

The Indian team management is expected to ask Pandya to bowl again in the nets on Friday. Post that, the decision on his fitness and his selection in the match against the Kiwis will be taken according to Cricbuzz. The all-rounder had picked up an injury whilst the team’s opening fixture of the tournament against Pakistan.

He looked in pain as he got his right shoulder injured and didn’t come out to field. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Pandya was taken for scans. However, the MRI scans report cleared him of any serious concerns.

India dealing with the concern of sixth bowling option

With Hardik Pandya not available with his quota of overs, team India has been struggling with the sixth bowling option. He featured in the game against Pakistan but couldn’t make a larger impact with the bat. He managed to score just 11 runs off 8 balls.

Former India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar feels that if  Pandya is not bowling, Ishan Kishan should make it to the playing XI. He also added that Thakur can replace Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the side.

“If Hardik Pandya is not bowling due to that shoulder injury he sustained in the match against Pakistan Ishan Kishan has been in brilliant form so I will surely consider him ahead of Pandya. And perhaps, you can think of Shardul Thakur in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But otherwise, if you make too many changes, then you will show the opposition that you have panicked,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

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