‘I am not game-ready’ – Hardik Pandya looking at bowling as a long-term plan

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya doesn’t wish to rush into bowling, bearing in mind the injury concerns he has faced over the last couple of years or so. The Baroda cricketer has had his troubles with his back and even underwent surgery back in October 2019. On a number of instances, he has been ruled out for long periods due to his recurring injuries.

The 26-year-old didn’t bowl for Mumbai Indians in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League, though his contributions with the bat helped his team win their fifth IPL title. Same was the case in India’s opening ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, November 27.

However, Hardik is pretty aware of the tournaments, which will be played in the next two years. Hence, for a ‘long-term goal’, Hardik is refraining from bowling, though he’s plying his craft in the net sessions.  The 27-year-old admitted that he isn’t game-ready just yet.

It is all about confidence, says Hardik Pandya

“It is a process. I am looking at a long-term goal where I want to be 100% of my bowling capacity for the most important games. The World Cups are coming. More crucial series are coming, ” Hardik was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

“I am thinking as a long-term plan, not short-term where I exhaust myself and maybe have something else [injury] which is not there. So, it is going to be a process, which I am following. I can’t tell you exactly when I am going to bowl but the process is going on.

“In the nets, I am bowling. It is just that I am not game-ready but I am still bowling. It is all about confidence and the skill has to be at an international level,” he added.

Though India lost the first ODI by 66 runs, Hardik showed his power with the bat in hand. The right-hander smashed 90 runs off 76 balls before holing out to Mitchell Starc off Adam Zampa. His knock was laced with seven fours and four sixes before he missed out on his maiden ODI ton.

He was also involved in a 128-run partnership with Shikhar Dhawan when the Men in Blue were chasing the monstrous score of 375 runs in 50 overs.