IPL 2021: Hardik Pandya's Shoulder Niggle A Worry For Mumbai Indians

Cricket Image for IPL 2021: Hardik Pandya's Shoulder Niggle A Worry For Mumbai Indians (Hardik Pandya (Image Source: Google))

All-rounder Hardik Pandya's shoulder niggle and workload management are creating a headache for Mumbai Indians as they struggle to find a bowling option who can play the role of a back-up with one of the frontline bowlers going for runs.

MI's director of cricket operations Zaheer Khan admitted that Hardik's workload management is creating an imbalance. In the first match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday, they used only five bowlers and with their fifth bowler Rahul Chahar going for runs, MI was left without any option to step in for him and stem the flow of runs.

"It was a workload-related thing in the previous game. He (Hardik) bowled the whole series against England, in the last ODI he bowled about nine overs and that's why in consultation with the physios we had to take that approach," said Zaheer while speaking to the media.

Zaheer admitted that there was concern over Hardik's shoulder as he was throwing under-arm while fielding. "Hardik as a whole package is of great value, everyone knows. There was a little bit of a concern over his shoulder," the former India left-arm seamer added. Zaheer, however, said that the injury is not of great concern or worry.

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