The Indian cricket team has kicked off its ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Hardik Pandya is a part of the Indian playing XI for the big game. Many fans have one query about Pandya, and that is whether the all-rounder will bowl for the Indian cricket team in this match.
The Indian cricket team played a couple of warm-up matches before the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, where Hardik did not bowl a single delivery. India won both the matches, but Virat Kohli was one of the bowling options. Also, Hardik did not bowl while playing for the Mumbai Indians during the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
I won’t be bowling for now: Hardik Pandya
Ahead of the India vs. Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup 2021 match, Hardik Pandya spoke with the host broadcasters, where he was asked to provide an update regarding his status as a bowler in the big match. Here’s what the Baroda-based star replied:
“The back is fine, it was jittery, but I won’t be bowling for now. I want to be able to bowl eventually, closer to the knockouts. The professionals and I both have to take the call about when I can have a bowl. We make sure we tick the right boxes, and do the processes right.”
Indian team lost early wickets, but Virat Kohli has held one end
The Indian cricket team received an invitation to bat first from Pakistani captain Babar Azam after he called the coin toss right. At the toss, Virat Kohli revealed that Varun Chakravarthy would be making his T20 World Cup debut as the team management preferred him over Ravichandran Ashwin.
However, India did not get off to a good start with the bat. Openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul lost their wickets to Shaheen Shah Afridi in quick succession. Suryakumar Yadav batted well but lost his wicket to Hasan Ali in the powerplay. Virat Kohli has held one end and stitched up a good partnership for the fourth wicket along with wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who has been in good touch.
