Pushing Hardik Pandya "too hard" to bowl in the current IPL and this could have a negative impact on his batting. This is the assessment of Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, who on Friday said that the franchise is in touch with the Indian team management regarding Hardik's fitness and bowling readiness. Jayawardene said Hardik's fitness was being "assessed" on a daily basis but that Mumbai would not return him to bowl until the all-rounder was fully prepared.
"Since he [Hardik] hasn't bowled since Sri Lanka and he has another trouble and he's managed to go through that process, what we're trying to do is," Jayawardene told a media briefing on the eve. All the best to Hardik." Mumbai will face Delhi Capitals on Saturday. "And, yes, I understand [there] is the World Cup as well. We are talking to the Indian management team and make sure he feels comfortable as soon as possible and we get him into the bowling schedule and get him ready. "
Hardik has bowled just 46 overs in 41 matches since his return from back surgery in October 2019. In this period, he has played only white-ball cricket, although he was in the squad for the home Test series against England earlier this year. Hardik last bowled on July 25 during the T20I series in Sri Lanka when he conceded two overs.
Hardik has not bowled for Mumbai since the 2020 IPL and has played purely as a batsman. While this has affected Mumbai's bowling strategy, Jayawardene said the franchise will continue to be patient considering Hardik also a part of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, which begins soon after the IPL.
Not only Mumbai, but the Indian team management, as well as the national selectors, will be monitoring Hardik's bowling fitness as India have picked only three specialist pacers in their initial squad of 15. While announcing the squad, chief selector Chetan Sharma said that Hardik was "fit" and would "put his full quota of overs" during the World Cup.
However, out of the four matches Mumbai has played so far in the second leg of the IPL, Hardik lost the first two matches playing purely as a batsman in the last two matches. But Jayawardene said Hardik is still an 'assets' as a batsman.
"Whether he can bowl in the IPL or not is something we have to watch and evaluate daily and then see how he progresses. I understand all the concerns, but we need to do that," he said. What is needed is Hardik and what is best for him. And yes, he would be a good asset as a bowler as well. But if we push too hard at the moment, it could be an issue where he struggles as well. So it's something that we will have to keep in mind and consider and take it one day at a time by all concerned."