By Zainab Shafiq 
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has raised concerns about the fitness of Hardik Pandya, suggesting that the Mumbai Indians’ captain might be nursing an injury that he’s keeping under wraps. Pandya, who has been leading the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, has faced scrutiny over his recent performances and limited bowling appearances.
Mumbai Indians have had a tumultuous start to the season, losing three consecutive games before finally clinching victories in their next two matches. Despite the recent upturn, they find themselves languishing in seventh place on the IPL table with just four points.
Doull’s suspicions were piqued when he observed Pandya refraining from bowling in several matches after initially taking the ball in the first couple of games. In their latest encounter against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pandya bowled just one over, prompting Doull to voice his concerns on Cricbuzz.
“You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He’s injured. I’m telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling,” Doull remarked.
Pandya’s history with injuries is well-documented. He underwent back surgery in London before IPL 2020, which sidelined him from bowling for the Mumbai Indians in subsequent seasons. His fitness woes were further exacerbated during the 2021 T20 World Cup, where India’s decision to include him primarily as a batsman was heavily criticized after the team failed to progress beyond the league stage.
Subsequently, the Mumbai Indians released Pandya ahead of IPL 2022, only for the Gujarat Titans to capitalize on the opportunity and appoint him as their skipper for the season. Pandya continued to lead the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 before returning to Mumbai Indians as captain for IPL 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma.
However, questions persist regarding Pandya’s ability to bowl effectively, especially in light of his ankle injury sustained during the World Cup 2023. With the T20 World Cup 2024 looming in June, there are doubts surrounding Pandya’s fitness and whether he will be able to contribute with the ball. As speculation mounts, fans eagerly await updates on Pandya’s condition, hoping for his swift recovery ahead of the crucial tournaments ahead.
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