IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya fitness – Hardik Pandya is currently out of the national team as he continues his recovery from a back problem. While he was asked to report to NCA, he has chosen to go on his own in Mumbai. Plagued by fitness issues, Mumbai Indians released him ahead of the auction. But Zaheer Khan, MI’s Director of Cricket, believes he will soon make full recovery. Follow IPL 2022 Auction Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Absolutely. Hardik is very keen on that. That is what he is going to work towards. The retention calls usually take into consideration various aspects and angles. The debates are usually very long (laughs). It is not an easy process when you set yourself up for a big auction and say goodbye to all players with a heavy heart with whom you spent a lot of time and energy,” Zaheer Khan told TOI.
IPL 2022: Zaheer Khan gives thumbs up to ex-Mumbai Indians allrounder Hardik Pandya, ‘he will soon get full bowling fitness’
Hardik Pandya was last seen in action in the T20 World Cup in October and since then he has been recovering from a back injury. He underwent surgery in 2020 but since then he hasn’t been at his best. While he struggled with the bat, he was hardly seen in bowling action. He did not bowl in IPL 2020 and IPL 2021. While he returned to bowling in Sri Lanka, he struggled. In T20 World Cup, he hardly bowled.
After a string of poor performances, selectors asked him to recover completely before making a comeback. In the meantime, Mumbai Indians decided against retaining him for IPL 2022. He will now be in the auction.
IPL 2022: Zaheer Khan gives thumbs up to ex-Mumbai Indians allrounder Hardik Pandya, ‘he will soon get full bowling fitness’
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Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan said he is happy with how Indian pacers have performed in South Africa. After taking 18 wickets in the first match, in the second, Shardul Thakur bagged a fifer while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bowled fantastic spells.
“Everyone has impressed me. Whether you talk about Shami who has a prominent seam position. He has done consistently well. He has a good track record providing some crucial breakthroughs at crucial times. He has been the bowling mainstay for the team. He has been leading the pace attack in Tests for a while now. You have Bumrah who has that X factor. He has the talent to get rid of the best batsmen in the world,” Zaheer Khan said.
“The team has got a lot of variety. You have Shardul. He has been contributing with both bat and ball. You have Umesh. He is also amazing. You have Ishant Sharma who is tall and has been wonderful with his bowling and got major breakthroughs. He has been around for over 100 Tests now. He provides valuable experience in the team. Siraj is another emerging talent we have. This is a wonderful bowling attack that the Indian team has,” Zaheer Khan, India’s former premier fast bowler, said.
IPL 2022: Zaheer Khan gives thumbs up to ex-Mumbai Indians allrounder Hardik Pandya, ‘he will soon get full bowling fitness’
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