T20 World Cup 2021: Hardik Pandya misses India's fielding innings against Pakistan

There was a lot of speculation around Hardik Pandya’s injury and fitness before the T20 World Cup 2021 started and with a game in, there are more questions than answers. It is not to do just about the issue of not having an all-rounder in this team who could fill in the role as the sixth bowler. But, it is also regarding how Pandya was managed. 

With the bat against Pakistan, Pandya was at the crease for eight balls but while he was there, there was some kind of an issue with his shoulder. It didn’t seem that he was completely feeling well. However, what is actually concerning is the fact that the Baroda man didn’t enter the field of play in the second innings. Instead, Ishan Kishan was seen on the field. 

Now, the issue is here, Pandya’s body hasn’t been at its best in recent times. His back was a huge thing of concern, given his inability to bowl. As a pacer, it is hugely important that you take care of your body. The upper body issues are concerning and so are lower body issues. Prolonged injuries don’t just break momentum but cause several issues with their careers. 

The Hardik Pandya injury saga continues

When it comes to Pandya, the saga of his injury is just not ending. Ahead of the second leg of the IPL 2021, it was expected that he would bowl, having done that for India in white-ball cricket in 2021 until then. However, once he arrived at the second leg in the UAE, injury hit him. There haven’t been enough clearances from the National Cricket Academy on his fitness levels as well. 

He missed out on some matches in the second leg of IPL 2021 and when he returned, there wasn’t form and there was no bowling. Leading into the T20 World Cup, there were updates here and there that he might be able to bowl a couple of overs if required. However, with his shoulder not working properly, we can say that India’s balance is in big danger. 

There is no idea of the extent of his injury. There should be an announcement anytime soon (or will there be even anything said, remains a mystery). The saga that is Pandya’s injury and bowling has now seen another chapter. India has a week now before their game against New Zealand to get Hardik’s shoulder and his back (potentially) fit.

As far as options are concerned, there is a like for like, but India did get Venkatesh Iyer as a net bowler, he remains someone who can basically do what Pandya did, but again it is the experience of batting lower down the order which he lacks. 

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