Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond suggests that Hardik Pandya has lost nothing as an all-rounder after recovering from the back injury he sustained a while ago. Bond opines that Hardik is still ‘aggressive’ as a bowler who can use the bouncer to good effect.
Since his return to international cricket after suffering a back injury, Pandya the batsman has been in scintillating form since his return to international cricket. However, Hardik the bowler has been very cautious, and a bit underutilized to keep the injury scares at bay.
Hardik didn’t bowl in the previous IPL season and featured as a batsman in most white-ball games against Australia. He bowled a bit more against England in the T20s and ODIs.
Pandya’s pace has reduced, but he has looked more equipped with subtle variations. His Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond believes that Hardik has lost nothing as an all-round cricketer.
It’s natural that you will lose a bit of top-end consistent pace after a back injury, but what is important is that he hasn’t lost his aggressive approach. He can use the bouncer too, has the skills to swing the ball and can still work up a good pace,
Bond told TOI in an interview.
The Mumbai Indians team is currently in Chennai, gearing up for the IPL opener on April 9 against the Royal Challengers. Bond is hoping that Hardik would be able to deliver his absolute best. However, Bond also added that Hardik is very precious as a batsman and a finisher. The team doesn’t want to put excess load on him as it might lead to another injury.
He further added that the management aimed to get him back in returning as an all-rounder for the Indian team because they asked him not to bowl in IPL 2020. Bond added that Hardik’s heroics against England proves that they have indeed succeeded in doing so.
Elaborating further, Bond claimed that Hardik had made some changes in how he approaches the crease while delivering the ball and is vital to the team with the ball in hand. But the former Kiwi pacer made it clear that though Hardik brings quality to the table in the white-ball format, it is very important to manage his workload.
I understand that he is a brilliant fourth-pacer option batting at No. 7 in Tests, but I would think he is better off bowling ten overs a day even when he is playing red-ball cricket, instead of 15-16. Ben Stokes too, is doing the same,
Bond added.
In the last season, MI used Kieron Pollard as a sixth bowling option. With Hardik looking all set to contribute with a few overs this time, the defending champions appears to be a top contender to lift the trophy this year as well.
