Mumbai Indians (MI) bowling coach Shane Bond expects all-rounder Hardik Pandya to be back in full swing, so that, he can play few games before the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting from March 29 onwards. The big-hitting all-rounder is yet to regain his full fitness as he is still recovering from a back injury.
It has been a long time since he played for India. Pandya underwent successful surgery in October 2019, in a bid to treat an acute lower-back injury and has out of action since then.
Pandya will also be looking forward to making his presence count in the upcoming cash-rich IPl such that he can be fully prepared and raring to go for the ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia in October.
Bond is confident that Pandya will come back stronger from a long lay-off.
“I only hope he gets to play some cricket before the IPL and always believe it’s better to spend a little bit longer for coming back rather than rushing it. There’s no doubt he can come back. I am just pleased that they are taking an orthodox approach with Hardik’s rehabilitation and T20s, especially IPL will be nice for him to come back as he will not be over-bowled,” he further added.
In the latest development, Pandya underwent a net session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. It is still not yet clear if he will make a comeback for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa next month or the IPL.
Previously, this month, Pandya was ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after failing to regain fitness.
The important decision was taken after Pandya consulted spinal surgeon James Allibone in the United Kingdom.