Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Hardik Pandya did not bowl in the IPL 2021 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai which copped a lof questions from certain questions. In the wake of it, Mumbai’s Director of Cricket Zaheer Khan has explained the rationale behind the same saying that they are trying to manage Hardik’s workload considering a couple of important series lined-up later this year.
As Mumbai went down against Bangalore there was a feeling that Rohit Sharma had his hands tied to an extent with just five bowling options. Trent Boult and Rahul Chahar were expensive but the other bowlers managed to drag things till the very end. Rohit Sharma had the option of using Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard but he didn’t use them.
We are trying to manage Hardik Pandya’s workload – Zaheer Khan
Hardik’s bowling workload has been on India’s agenda for a while after his return from back surgery. Hardik bowled 17 overs during the five-match T20I series against England and was only called to bowl in the final ODI where he sent down nine overs. And now Mumbai Indians support staff Zaheer Khan has also flagged the same point saying that they are managing Hardik Pandya’s workload.
“Hardik, as a whole package, is always of great value,” MI’s Director of Cricket operations, Zaheer Khan, said. “It was a workload related thing in the previous game. He bowled nine overs in the England series. In consultation with the physio, we had to take that approach. There was a little bit of a shoulder concern but it is not worrisome. You will see him bowl very soon. The timeline you will have to ask the physio. In terms of Hardik the bowler coming in this tournament, we are confident that he will be chipping in with the ball in his hand as well,” he added.
However, Zaheer Khan cleared that Rohit Sharma is not going in with limited bowling options. The former India cricketer pointed out that Kieron Pollard is their sixth bowling option while Hardik Pandya will resume bowling at the latter part of IPL 2021.
“Pollard is our sixth bowling option,” he pointed out. “He is consistent, he is an experienced campaigner.
“Whenever Hardik is available, he will start bowling, he will be our bowling option as well. In that department, we are not very concerned. You have to just adapt and adjust. This year’s format is a different format. So from that point of view, we need to have that adaptability and flexibility around the squad as well, with not playing in your home grounds, which is what we accept and plan accordingly for the season ahead,” Zaheer concluded.
