Is Hardik Pandya eyeing ICC World T20 2021 for full-time bowling return?
Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder who is into pace bowling. However, he has restricted his bowling of late as a part of his workload management, especially after undergoing back surgery. Nevertheless, it seems like he could return to bowling during ICC World T20 2021.
FollowIndian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is famous for his explosive batting abilities. Besides, he also has decent fast-bowling skills that have proved effective on quite a few occasions.
However, Pandya has restricted himself from bowling as a part of his workload management. Meanwhile, since last year, when he underwent back surgery, he has refrained from bowling to give ample time for his back to recover. Although he chipped in as a part-time bowler, he mainly focused on his batting.
Meanwhile, everyone seems to be wondering as to when would he be back to bowling full-time. On the same note, Pandya feels that he should be able to dit it by the ICC World T20 2021, set to be played between October and November.
"I started bowling in the IPL and my focus is on the World Cup. I want to make sure that I will be able to bowl in all the games at the [T20] World Cup. I am just trying to be smart and make sure that I don't miss that. On the bowling front, what matters is how fit I am. Even after my surgery, I didn't drop my pace. I was not able to drop my control. My bowling is related to my fitness. The fitter I get, the better it comes out. As a fast-bowling all-rounder, I tend to get injuries. It is bound to happen and I am okay with it," Pandya was quoted as saying to The Times of India.
ALSO READ:Â Hardik Pandya, Natasa Stankovic, Agastya beat the heat in the pool; take a look
"For India, I have realised that my bowling brings a lot of difference because the balance changes. In IPL, I am lucky to have a franchise where there is so much love that I was able to pick my batting there and make sure that for India, I am able to be at my best. I have to make sure I am fit to be able to bowl and if I bowl, that brings balance to the side," he added.
Pandya's next outing would be the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next month. Although it is unclear if he would bowl during the tour, he is once again likely to chip in as a part-time bowler, which would act as the platform for his return to full-time bowling.
"Whenever I play, I don't want to play at 50%. I play; I will play at 100%. When I heard that we are going to Sri Lanka, I was planning to take rest for three-four weeks and just not do anything. For the Sri Lanka tour, I will start my preparation from tomorrow (Saturday). Focus is on getting ready for Sri Lanka and then obviously, the World Cup," he concluded.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
