Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes that Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has suffered an injury but he is not admitting it.
Simon Doull’s statement comes after seeing Hardik de-promoting himself from bowling after opening the bowling attack for Mumbai in the first 2 matches of the season.
During the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday, Hardik bowled a single over but did not come back after conceding 13 runs. Doull said that there is something wrong with Hardik and it is his ‘gut feeling’ that the all-rounder may be suffering from some injury.
“You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in-game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He’s injured. I’m telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling,” Doull said.
Hardik was earlier asked about his decision to not bowl during the match against Delhi Capitals but the Mumbai Indians skipper said that he will be bowling at the ‘right time’.
“All good will be bowling at the right time. Had it covered, so didn’t need to roll my arm over,” Hardik said.
Hardik Pandya has been out of action since the ankle injury he sustained during the World Cup campaign. He missed the five-match T20I series against Australia on the home tour and also missed the ongoing India’s South Africa tour.
During his absence, the T20I star Suryakumar Yadav led the side against Australia and South Africa which resulted in a victory and a tie. Hardik also missed the Afghanistan T20I series which was the last T20I series for men in Blues before the Men’s T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Mumbai Indians traded Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans and named him as the captain of the team for the 2024 season. Though Mumbai Indians and Hardik Pandya received massive criticism from the IPL and Rohit Sharma fans, the franchise stood strong in their decision.
But Hardik was repeatedly booed by the fans wherever he played. Even in his home venue, Wankhede Stadium, Hardik faced the same. But in Mumbai’s last clash which was played against RCB, fans once again criticised Hardik when he walked down to bat but Virat Kohli stepped in and asked fans not to treat him badly.
The request from the star batter abruptly changed the environment where the crowd suddenly started to chant “Hardik, Hardik”.
