India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya has stated that his focus is to bowl in all matches of the T20 World Cup. Pandya’s workload has been managed with guile by both the Indian team and Mumbai Indians and he hasn’t bowled a lot after undergoing his back surgery.
In fact, Pandya has mostly played as a pure batsman and didn’t bowl a single over in the seven matches of IPL 2021. The all-rounder added that his focus is on the T20 World Cup later in the year and he would aim to bowl his full quota of overs in the big event.
Pandya has been in prolific form with the bat but his selection has been questioned by a lot of cricket pundits as he isn’t bowling at full tilt. Thus, Pandya was not picked for the tour of England and he had recently said that his focus is on limited overs format.
Pandya can add value to the team if he bowls his quota of overs. The all-rounder from Baroda has also improved his bowling and he has added variety to his armoury.
“For me, I want to make sure, and I will be able to, that I bowl in all the games of the (T20) World Cup. I am just trying to be smart and make sure that I don’t miss that. My full focus is on the World Cup,” Hardik explained while talking to TOI Sportscast.
Pandya added that he is fit as a fiddle and he always wants to play when he is 100%.
“Yes, on the bowling front, what matters is how fit I am. Even after my surgery, I didn’t drop my pace. My bowling is related to my fitness. The fitter I get, the better it comes out. Whenever I play, I don’t want to play at 50%. (When) I play, I will play at 100%,” Hardik concluded.
Pandya will be a pivotal cog in India’s World Cup squad as he can add the finishing touches while batting in the lower middle order. The right-hander will also look to deliver the goods with the ball.
Pandya will be seen in action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The first ODI will be played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on 13th July.
