India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya got injured in India’s T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan. Pandya injured his right shoulder while batting in the first innings and has been taken for scans after the first innings. The all-rounder did not take the field as Ishan Kishan filled in for him.
Coming in to bat at no.7, Pandya scored 11 runs from eight deliveries including two boundaries but was seen having slight discomfort during his innings.
There were fitness issues that have prevented Pandya from bowling of late. He has not bowled a single ball in competitive cricket since July. He was expected to play as the sixth bowler at some point in the tournament.
"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,” the Baroda all-rounder had said before the India-Pakistan clash.
Earlier Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also said that he will be used as a bowler in the tournament. However, with shoulder injury it is unlikely that he will get to bowl in the upcoming matches. The results of the scan are yet to come. If Pandya is unfit, India may look to include an in-form Ishan Kishan in the side.
