ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Virat Kohli Gives An Update On Hardik Pandya’s Fitness Ahead Of NZ Game

Indian skipper Virat Kohli will face a stern Test from New Zealand Dubai. Both the teams lost their first game against Pakistan making this clash a must-win clash for both teams. The Indian team has a few injury and selection headaches heading into the contest. Many felt that Kohli did not select the ideal XI which took the field against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya started bowling at practice sessions after he was deemed fit for getting selected in the XI against New Zealand. India missed a sixth bowling option with Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar both going for runs against Pakistan. Kohli said that Hardik is fit ahead of the contest.

“Hardik’s fine. If you are talking about the blow on the shoulder, he’s absolutely fine” said Kohli.

Shardul Thakur Is In Our Plans: Virat Kohli

When asked about Shardul Thakur’s chances of playing against New Zealand, Kohli said  “He (Shardul) is a guy who is definitely in our plans, constantly making a case for himself. He is someone who can bring a lot of value to the team. What role he plays, or where, is something that I can’t talk about right now.”

The Indian skipper was also asked about the threat of Trent Boult heading into this crucial game. Boult has troubled and dismissed both Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the past.

“We obviously will come up against some quality bowlers in this competition and the intensity which this tournament operates at is very different. So we know that we have played against these individuals, it is not something out of the ordinary that is going to come our way. It all depends on how we take the field mentally and how we counter it if Trent says he wants to replicate what Shaheen did against us then he is motivated to do so and we need to be motivated to put pressure on him and counter that,” said Kohli.

Boult meanwhile said that he would like to replicate how Shaheen Afridi bowled against India in their first game.