Hardik Pandya not to bowl in IPL 2024? All-rounder delivers huge update

Hardik Pandya has delivered an update on his bowling ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder will be returning to high-profile cricket through IPL 2024.

Towards the end of last month, he returned to competitive cricket when he played in the DY Patil T20 tournament. Prior to that, his last appearance in competitive cricket had come in October last year during the World Cup game against Bangladesh. He had sustained an ankle injury after falling awkwardly and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

Following the lengthy spell on the sidelines, it was expected that Hardik Pandya might decide against bowling in IPL 2024 in order to avoid a recurrence of the injury. However, the Mumbai Indians captain has confirmed that he will be bowling in the upcoming season. He had bowled in the DY Patil T20 tournament as well and had registered figures of 2 for 22 in his comeback game.

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Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya will start as an allrounder this season 🗣#IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/z01xh7Ue4B

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 18, 2024

On his role in the team, he said that he would be playing the finisher’s role this year, saying: “This IPL, I will play as an all-rounder and finish as many games as possible, enjoy the position I have always loved.”

Hardik Pandya on his fitness:

Hardik Pandya also opened up on his injury and fitness. Calling it a freak injury, the India star said that it was not related to his past injuries. He also said that he does not have any concerns now as far as his fitness is concerned and is looking forward to playing all the games in IPL 2024.

“It was a freak injury and had nothing to do with my previous injuries. We tried to push too hard for a return during the World Cup. I have no issues with my body and intend to play all matches,” Hardik Pandya said.

The upcoming season will mark his return to Mumbai Indians. In the last two seasons of the IPL, he plied his trade for Gujarat Titans before returning to Mumbai through a trade deal. Mumbai Indians will open their campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 24.