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Journalism of Courage
Hardik Pandya who was injured during the match against Bangladesh, has been taken for scans, the BCCI said on Thursday. The medium pace all rounder had limped off after putting his right foot to stop a drive from Bangladesh’s Liton Das and the team management will be hoping that the injury isn’t serious.
A vital cog in the wheel, Pandya’s skill set at the highest level – effective with difficult to pick up bouncers, the surprise heavy ball and ability to clear the ropes – makes him viral to the playing XI’s balance.
Hardik lost his balance while trying to stop what was a four off his own bowling and then lost his balance and dragged his right boot while landing on the pitch. He got up and looked in discomfort while bending over. Soon the physio was out in the middle and two senior players Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma were by his side.
Play was stopped for nearly five minutes as the physio strapped his ankle.
Hardik was back and tried to run but started to hobble. It was clear he would have to go off after bowling just three deliveries, two of which went for fours.
The Pune crowd began cheering when Kohli was tasked with bowling the incomplete Hardik over – three balls. Kohli conceded just row singles.
To add to India’s woes, Shardul Thakur’s next over, the 10th of the innings, went for 16 runs.
Thakur is India’s next best pace bowling allrounder after Hardik but is not in the same class as Pandya.
Pandya had suffered a back injury post the 2019 World Cup and even after making a comeback he initially didn’t bowl and then was only relied on to bowl short spells. During this year’s IPL Hardik kept a check on the number of overs he bowled – 25 in 16 games – but spoke about increasing his bowling workload.
“I am a turtle right now and not the rabbit. Hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes,” Hardik had said.
In the three games, prior to Thursday’s Hardik picked up five wickets, including two against Pakistan.
