India’s Hardik Pandya (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

New Delhi: : hardik pandya Did not appear in either of the two afternoon practice sessions Mumbai Indians Ahead of Saturday’s match against Delhi Capitals. Obviously, the Mumbai Indians captain does not want to put pressure on his injury-plagued body during the grueling two-month IPL schedule. HeartfeltHowever, she is fighting another battle as she plans a campaign for the five-time champion. times of India He understands that he has been working overtime for the last four months to reassure the Indian team management and selectors that he is ready to bowl his full quota of 10 overs in ODI matches apart from the IPL. After the IPL, India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup in October-November 2027 will be in full swing. The Indian Cricket Board announced the squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on January 3 (bcci) Secretary Devjit Saikia mentioned that Hardik was not cleared by the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) to bowl 10 overs in a match. The BCCI release also claimed that Hardik is being protected for the next T20 World Cup. Interestingly, five days later, Hardik bowled 10 overs for figures of 3/66 in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Chandigarh. times of India It is learned that Hardik had reached out to the selectors and the Indian team management in January itself. The team management has told him that they would prioritize his availability to bowl 10 overs ahead of the World Cup in South Africa next year. It should be noted that Hardik suffered a quadriceps injury ahead of the Asia Cup final in September and made his return to T20I cricket on December 9 in the series against South Africa. Sources told TOI that Hardik had expressed his desire to play in both white-ball formats, but the BCCI took a conservative stance keeping the T20 World Cup in mind. “Hardik is expected to play a big role in the ODI setup as the World Cup will be played on fast and bouncy pitches in South Africa. That can lend the right balance. But he will have to convince the selectors and the team management that he will be available to bowl 10 overs. It may be that he may not need to do this in every match. In most of the matches the captain can make him bowl 6-7 overs. But if the captain needs more from him then he should be available,” a BCCI source told TOI. “The selectors are also considering other seam-bowling options. Nitish Kumar Reddy has increased his bowling workload in domestic cricket as well,” the source said. Hardik is working hard in COE and beyond. He travels between Mumbai and Baroda to train with his dedicated team. The source claimed, “Hardik is increasing his workload. He has also worked on his action to bowl in-swingers without compromising on pace. That is why he has been handed the responsibility of bowling the new ball in T20s. He feels his body is ready to face the rigors of bowling 10 overs in ODIs. He understands his body well and is working towards staying fit to bowl 10 overs.” Are.”