Though his selection in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup has been as a bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is still not fit to bowl with the mega event not many days away. The bigger problem is that there is no clarity on when he can be expected to resume bowling.

Mumbai Indians, the franchise for which Hardik plays in the IPL, is in no hurry either. Instead, Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai’s head coach, has said that Hardik might “struggle” if pushed hard to bowl, which in turn could jeopardise his outing in the T20 World Cup.

“He (Hardik) hasn’t bowled for a long period of time, so we are just trying to do the best for Hardik. We are in constant touch with the Indian team management on Hardik’s case,” Mahela said during a virtual media conference ahead of Mumbai’s game against Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

“Whether he will bowl in the IPL or not, we will look on a daily basis. I feel at the moment if we push him too hard, he might struggle.”

Ever since his return from a back surgery that he underwent in 2019, Hardik has been a reluctant bowler.

Sometimes it seems that he is fit enough to bowl, sometimes he stays away from it. Like he bowled regularly during the five-match T20I series against England in March earlier this year and also in one match of the ODI series.

But he didn’t bowl in the first leg of the IPL in India and in the second phase too, he is playing as a specialist batsman.

With the T20 World Cup beginning on October 17, is this the best preparation for the Indian team’s only fast-bowling all-rounder? If Hardik continues to stay away from bowling, chances are that the selectors might consider drafting in Shardul Thakur, who has been bowling quite well for the Chennai Super Kings. Hardik is on a slippery pitch.

MI upbeat

Jayawardene, meanwhile, has said that Mumbai’s win in their last match, against Punjab Kings, has boosted the team’s morale.

“Getting that win under out belt was very important. We are as charged up as we were at the start of the tournament. We did a lot of good things in our last game but still a lot of improvements are needed.

“We will have to play our best cricket to make it to the top four,” Jayawardene said.

Asked about an out-of-form Suryakumar Yadav, Jayawardene said: “He (Surya) is a very important player for us. I understand his focus is good and it’s just about spending time at the middle,” the coach said.