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Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya bowled for about 15 minutes in the nets at the ICC Academy on Wednesday ahead of the match against New Zealand. He then did fitness training for 20-25 minutes under the leadership of strength and conditioning coaches Nick Webb and Soham Desai. Hardik also batted in the nets. During this Mahendra Singh Dhoni also came there and he also gave some instructions before the start of the net session.
Hardik suffered a shoulder injury during the match against Pakistan, but the scan report did not indicate any serious injury. The team management is confident that Hardik will be available for Sunday’s match against New Zealand. However, Hardik had the most pleasure of bowling in the nets. Captain Virat Kohli also said after the match against Pakistan that he is preparing Hardik to bowl at least two overs at any point in the tournament.
Kohli had said, “I honestly think Hardik with his physical condition at this point in time is getting ready to bowl at least two overs at a certain stage in this tournament. We are very confident that we have the strength we have. Make the most of the opportunity. Hardik has done something for us at No.6 that you can’t do overnight. I have always been a supporter of having him as a batsman in Australia and we have seen that What did he do in the T20 series and how did he snatch the match from the opposition team.
He also said that we understand the value that he has inculcated as a number-six batsman and it is important to have a player like him who can impress with his game. He is motivated and eager to bowl a few overs. Hardik last bowled in the Sri Lanka series in July and did not bowl a single over in the UAE while playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
