BCCI looking to add extra fast bowler as Hardik Pandya’s cover in India’s T20 World Cup squad

With the International Cricket Council allowing an extra week for Super 12 teams of the T20 World Cup 2021 to finalise their 15 man squad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Senior Selection Committee is looking to add an extra fast bowling option in case Hardik Pandya is unable to bowl in the mega event.

Panday has not bowled in the entire IPL and hence the likes of Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur, two fast bowlers who can bat are being considered to be drafted into the last 15.

''Indian team is at least one fast bowler short in the main squad of 15. They have two experienced campaigners in Shardul Thakur, who is also a handy bowling all-rounder and Deepak Chahar, who has shown his batting prowess in Sri Lanka in the stand byes,” a senior BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI.

'So in case, Hardik is not able to bowl, one of the two can be fitted in by the Committee,” the source added.

Earlier in the last match of the league stage for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rohit Sharma said that he was not sure when would Hardik be bowling in terms of a timeline.

''In terms of his (Hardik) bowling, the physios, trainers are working. He hasn’t bowled a single ball yet. We wanted to take one match at a time and see where he stands,'' said the Mumbai skipper.

''He is getting better day by day. In the next week or so, he might be able to bowl, who knows? Only the doctors and physios will be able to give an update on that,'' the Indian vice-captain added, indicating that Hardik might yet be able to bowl.

Whether or not there is a change in the Indian team the fans would have to wait at least till October 15. Post the specified date of October 15, a change in the squad can only be on the basis of injury.

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