Flamboyant India all-rounder Hardik Pandya started bowling with folded hands in the nets ahead of the crucial Super 12 match against New Zealand on Wednesday. India suffered a crushing defeat by 10 wickets in their first match t20 world cup Against arch-rivals Pakistan. This was the Men in Blue’s first defeat for Pakistan in ICC World Cup events. With only five bowling options available in the XI, India lacked balance against Babar Azam & Co.
Hardik was seen bowling in the nets shown on air just before the Super 12 match between Scotland and Namibia in Abu Dhabi. He bowled Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shardul Thakur in the nets for almost 20 minutes as head coach Ravi Shastri and mentor MS Dhoni monitored his progress.
Hardik’s inclusion in the practice session also put an end to all the rumors of his unavailability for the New Zealand match, as he sustained a shoulder injury while batting during the Pakistan clash.
On Wednesday, Hardik did fitness exercises, which included short sprints, under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai and physio Nitin Patel.
After bowling practice, Hardik spent time with batting coach Vikram Rathor in the nets.
Hardik, who last tried his hand in the Sri Lanka series in July, did not bowl a single over for Mumbai Indians in the UAE leg of the IPL and the T20 World Cup warm-up matches.
Earlier, before the Pakistan match, Hardik told the broadcasters, “The back is fine, it was troubling, but I won’t bowl anymore. I want to be able to bowl close to the knockout at the end. Both me and the professionals have to decide when I can bowl.
Captain Virat Kohli has also said that he expects Hardik to be available to bowl at least two overs during the tournament.
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