Hardik Pandya ditches Mumbai Indians to build up bowling workload for....
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been significantly absent from the practice sessions of the Mumbai Indians. This has been considered a conservative approach by the all-rounder to gear up for India's full quota of overs at the 2027 World Cup, as reported by TOI.
Hardik Pandya has been appointed the Mumbai Indians skipper for the third straight season after he led the franchise to the playoffs of the competition. However, the veteran all-rounder has been absent from the training sessions.
The Mumbai Indians skipper has won two T20 World Cups with India and played an overwhelming role in the team's success across both tournaments. He is gearing up for a successful 50-over competition and would look to prepare himself for making a significant contribution.
Hardik Pandya working hard to reclaim his ODI spot ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup
In the ongoing IPL season, Hardik Pandya has been absent from the Mumbai Indians' afternoon training sessions ahead of the upcoming clash against the Delhi Capitals. He doesn't wish to push his injury-prone body any further as he also gears up for the ICC World Cup 2027.
Besides planning a successful campaign for the five-time IPL champions, Hardik is fighting another battle, and that is to prove his credibility to the national selectors. The TOI sources have confirmed that he has been working overtime over the past four months and is looking to convince the selectors that he is ready to bowl his full quota of 10 overs.
India's preparation for the ICC World Cup 2027 will be in full swing immediately after the IPL ends in May 2026.
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“Hardik is expected to play a big role in the ODI setup," the BCCI confirmed
Hardik was not picked the last time India picked an ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand. At that time, Devajit Saikia had reasoned that Pandya had not been given the clearance to bowl his complete quota of 10 overs.
However, the anomaly stood evident when the all-rounder bowled his 10 overs days after the announcement for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. TOI reported that Hardik Pandya had reached out to the Indian selectors, but they asked him to focus on his availability to bowl 10 overs leading up to the World Cup next year.
“Hardik is expected to play a big role in the ODI setup since the World Cup will be played on fast and bouncy pitches in South Africa. He can lend the perfect balance. But he has to convince the selectors and the team management that he will be available to bowl 10 overs. He may not be required to do so in every match. The captain may end up bowling him for 6-7 overs in most matches. But he should be available if the captain needs more from him,” a BCCI source told TOI.
The BCCI speculations have also claimed that the Indian team would be considering a second seam-bowling all-rounder in Nitish Kumar Reddy, since the World Cup is scheduled to be played in South Africa.
“The selectors are also looking at other seam-bowling options. Nitish Kumar Reddy has increased his bowling workload in domestic cricket as well,” the source added.
Hardik Pandya has been working significantly on his workload
The Times of India has reported that Hardik Pandya, who has struggled with injuries and has been ruled out of ICC tournaments on former occasions, has been putting in the hard yards at the CoE. The all-rounder was ruled out of the previous World Cup back in 2023.
“Hardik has been increasing his workload. He has worked on his action to bowl in-swingers as well without compromising on pace. That’s why he has been entrusted to bowl with the new ball in T20s.
"He feels his body is ready to cope with the rigours of bowling 10 overs in ODIs. He understands his body well enough and is working towards staying fit to bowl 10 overs,” the source claimed.
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