Shane Bond insisted that Hardik Pandya is training well “on all counts” and might return to the playing XI on Sunday when MI take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai.
Shane Bond’s remarks came shortly after MI’s heavy defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders. Hardik Pandya’s absence was felt in both this match and the earlier game against Chennai Super Kings, where MI struggled with their fifth bowling option and lower order.
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Hardik Pandya hasn’t played international cricket since India’s tour of Sri Lanka, where he bowled only a few overs. As for the T20 World Cup squad, he’s expected to be one of the first names to be picked in the XI against Pakistan on October 24. India will also expect him to be fit enough to bowl four overs and play as the third seamer in the lineup.
“No hard directive from BCCI on Hardik Pandya” - Shane Bond
Shane Bond also denied the notion of a “hard directive” from the BCCI to preserve Hardik Pandya for the first few games. Instead, the former Kiwi pacer said both MI and Pandya are desperate to see him play, but that the franchise doesn’t want to “rush” him into playing and risk a major injury before the playoffs.
MI have slipped to sixth place in the points table and now need to win most of their remaining five matches to qualify for the playoffs. If there was ever a time to bring Hardik Pandya back to their team, it’s now.
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