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T20 World Cup | India were unaware about the extent of Hardik Pandya's injury, alleges former selector

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The series of allegations and blame games are coming thick and fast after India lost to New Zealand in their last game and now face the prospect of an early exit from the tournament.

Hardik Pandya’s fitness was one of the major concerns for India coming into the tournament and former selector Sarandeep Singh has come down heavily on India’s team management for not having a clear idea about his injury and recovery.

In an interview with Sportskeeda, Sarandeep Singh said that Hardik Pandya’s injury seems to be a major one as he is not bowling albeit showing clear eagerness to roll his arm over. He said that neither the Indian team nor Mumbai Indians—his IPL side, knew the exact extent of his injury and hence there is silence from players such as Rohit Sharma over his availability.

"Hardik definitely wants to bowl, but since he isn’t, means his injury is a big one. He doesn’t go to the NCA, he treats himself to the Mumbai Indians staff. So nobody really knows and nobody is saying anything. The reason why Rohit Sharma is not able to say anything in press conferences is because even Rohit doesn’t really know," Singh said.

Hardik Pandya had bowled in the nets before the game against the Blackcaps and he bowled two overs against them although India did not have enough runs to enforce any sort of pressure on the batsmen. No bowler other than Jasprit Bumrah could take wickets and Hardik Pandya’s bowling as the sixth bowler could not have come on a more insignificant occasion for the men in blue.

 

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