Mumbai Indians’ (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene has said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who hasn’t bowled so far in the first three matches of the defending champions, is likely to bowl in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“We were looking forward to seeing him bowl in IPL this season. He bowled a few overs in the England series [and has got a niggle]. [His niggle is] Something we are nursing. We want him to be in a position to come and bowl. We might see him bowling later in the tournament. We should be able to utilise that (bowling) asset as well,” Jayawardene told mediapersons on Monday.
Pandya had been struggling with a back injury before the niggle in shoulder and he even refrained from bowling in the previous season of the tournament, which was held in UAE.
Though Pandya later travelled to Australia with Team India’s limited overs team but only played as a batsman.
Although he expressed a desire to play Test matches in Australia purely as a batsman, India skipper Virat Kohli said Pandya’s position in Test side is only as an all-rounder and the team management refused to include him.