Dubai: With four wins from six games, defending champions Mumbai Indians have started well in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League. While the team is currently sitting at the top of the points table, a question on everyone`s mind is whether star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will play as a pure batsman this season. And looks like that could be the preferred choice for the unit.
Speaking to ANI, sources in the MI camp said that it has been decided that Hardik`s workload would be kept under strict check considering India`s international commitments post the IPL.
“He is fit and looking after his body really well. But considering India`s international calendar after the IPL, it was decided that his workload needs to be kept an eye on. It has often in the past been debated whether players are made to go that extra mile for their club, but we are keeping an eye on the long road ahead that will see India play Australia and then England. We should ideally see the next IPL after that and not to forget there is the World T20 next year.”
A lot of cricket is round the corner and we don`t wish to be short-sighted and only look at this season. He is an X-factor for every team that he plays for and can change the momentum of a game with bat and ball across formats,” the source said.
This is one of the reasons why the otherwise second or third change bowler for MI across seasons is yet to bowl this season. Hardik on his part made it clear before the IPL that physios and trainers decide what he does on the field and whether he picks/chooses games, and he doesn`t get into that aspect. In fact, being a contracted player, his fitness and workload is also constantly monitored by the Indian team management in consultation with the MI support staff when he is playing in the IPL.
“It is completely dependent on how my body reacts. I have not decided anything and right now the number of months I have been out, I just want to keep playing sport as much as I can. But obviously, there are my physios and trainers to take that call. Whichever opportunity I get, I will go out and play,” he told ANI.
Mumbai Indians` Director of Cricket Operations Zaheer Khan too made it clear before their game against Royal Challengers Bangalore that while Hardik can be a game-changer with the ball, he needs to be handled carefully considering what he brings to the table.
“He is someone who really changes the balance of any side when he is bowling. He understands that but we have to listen to his body. That is something the conversation which we are having in consultation with the physios. We are looking forward to seeing him bowl. He is very keen and really wanting to bowl. We just have to wait and be patient and listen to his body as I said earlier,” Zaheer said in a virtual pre-match conference.
“At the end of the day for any bowler, injuries play a huge role. We are happy that he is there as a batter with full fitness contributing so that is the exciting part.”
With the amount of cricket in the offing over the next six months, MI have shown that it isn`t about club versus country and is more about what is good for a player and the national team.
২৪X৭ নিউজ বেঙ্গল এ সবার আগে পড়ুন ব্রেকিং নিউজ। থাকছে দৈনিক টাটকা খবর, খবরের লাইভ আপডেট। সবচেয়ে ভরসাযোগ্য বাংলা এবং ইংলিশ খবর পড়ুন ২৪X৭ নিউজ বেঙ্গল এর ওয়েবসাইটে। নিয়মিত খবরে থাকতে লাইক করুন ফেসবুকে ও ফলো করুন টুইটারে।
‘রঙ’ ছাড়া সংবাদ খুঁজে পাওয়া কঠিন। কোন খবরটা ‘খাচ্ছে’? সেটাই কি শেষ কথা? নাকি আসল সত্যিটার নাম ‘সংবাদ’! ‘ব্রেকিং’ আর প্রাইম টাইমের পিছনে দৌড়তে গিয়ে দেওয়ালে পিঠ ঠেকেছে সত্যিকারের সাংবাদিকতার। অর্থ আর চোখ রাঙানিতে হাত বাঁধা সাংবাদিকদের। কিন্তু, গণতন্ত্রের চতুর্থ স্তম্ভে ‘রঙ’ লাগানোয় বিশ্বাসী নই আমরা। আর মৃত্যুশয্যা থেকে ফিরিয়ে আনতে পারেন আপনারাই। সোশ্যালের ওয়াল জুড়ে বিনামূল্যে পাওয়া খবরে ‘ফেক’ তকমা জুড়ে যাচ্ছে না তো? আসলে পৃথিবীতে কোনও কিছুই ‘ফ্রি’ নয়। তাই, আপনার দেওয়া একটি টাকাও অক্সিজেন জোগাতে পারে। স্বতন্ত্র সাংবাদিকতার স্বার্থে আপনার স্বল্প অনুদানও মূল্যবান। পাশে থাকুন।
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