New Delhi: Hardik Pandya did not participate in Mumbai Indians’ two afternoon training sessions ahead of their match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Understandably, the Mumbai Indians skipper doesn’t want to put his injury-prone body in jeopardy during the two-month IPL schedule. However, Hardik also faces another fight besides planning his campaign for the five-time champion.
toy It is understood that he has been working overtime for the past four months to assure the Indian team management and selectors that he is ready to fulfill his full quota of 10 overs in ODIs outside the IPL. India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup to be held in October-November 2027 will be in full swing after the IPL.
On January 3, while announcing the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia mentioned that the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) did not allow Hardik to hit 10 balls in a match. The BCCI release also claimed that Hardik will be retained for the subsequent T20 World Cup. Interestingly, Hardik took 3/66 in 10 overs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Chandigarh five days later.
toy It is understood that Hardik had contacted the selectors and the Indian team management in January. The team management has told him that they hope he can play 10 rounds before next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
It must be noted that Hardik suffered a quadriceps injury before the Asia Cup final in September and made his comeback in the T20I cricket series against South Africa on December 9. Sources told TOI that Hardik had expressed his desire to play in both white-ball formats but the BCCI took a conservative approach in view of the T20 World Cup.
“Since the World Cup in South Africa will be played on fast and bouncy pitches, Hardik is expected to play a big role in the ODI system. He can provide the perfect balance. But he has to convince the selectors and team management that he will be able to bowl 10 overs. He may not need to do that in every match. The captain may end up bowling him 6-7 overs in most matches. But if the captain needs him to provide more, he should be available,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The selectors are also considering other seam bowling options. Nitish Kumar Reddy has also increased his bowling workload in domestic cricket,” the source added.
Hardik has been playing on hard courts in CoE and elsewhere. He shuttles between Mumbai and Vadodara to train with his team of professionals. “Hardik has been increasing his workload. He is also working on hitting the inside ball without compromising his pace. That is why he has been entrusted with batting with the new ball in T20s. He feels his body is ready to handle the rigors of bowling 10 overs in ODIs. He knows his body well enough and is working hard to stay fit to bowl 10 overs,” sources said.