PL 2021: Mumbai Indians opener Chris Lynn said shoulder niggle was the reason behind team’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya not bowling in the season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday.
Ahead of the IPL 2021, Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond had said that Hardik Pandya was coming in the tournament as an all-rounder. With just 160 to defend in the season opener versus Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Friday, Hardik Pandya was expected to play an important role for the 5-time champions.
But the 27-year-old stayed away from any sort of bowling action as RCB won the match by 2 wickets on the final ball of the 20th over.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Hardik Pandya was seen using underarm throws while fielding at the boundary ropes. The on-air commentators were also curious after witnessing a relay-fielding courtesy Hardik’s underarm throw.
MI opener Chris Lynn has solved the mystery for everyone and revealed the reason why his teammate did now bowl.
“I’m not a hundred percent sure but it’s a bit of a shoulder niggle. I think Hardik Pandya, not bowling is maybe more precautionary. He’s played a fair bit of cricket leading up to this tournament, in which he has to play (minimum) 14 games as well.
“So you don’t want to throw your eggs in one basket and risk injury. The physios and the staff doctors will treat Hardik if there’s something wrong.
“He is a huge factor with the bat but if he gets bowling, then it adds another dimension to the team. We might have been missing the sixth bowler tonight but it’s early stages in the tournament. I do believe if Hardik is bowling then it brings out confidence in his batting as well. So fingers crossed we’ll see him with the ball sooner rather than later,” Lynn said in the post-match press conference.
Notably, Hardik Pandya bowled 17 overs in the 5-match T20I series against England this year but did not bowl again in the first 2 ODIs versus the visitors. However, he resumed his bowling duties in the third ODI and bowled 9 overs to help India win the series 2-1.
Source: India Today