Hope Hardik Pandya gets to play some cricket before IPL: MI bowling coach Bond
Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond wants all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from a back surgery, to play a few matches before the Indian Premier League, beginning March 29.
![Hardik Pandya (File Photo)](https://www.dynamitenews.com/images/2020/02/18/hope-hardik-pandya-gets-to-play-some-cricket-before-ipl-mi-bowling-coach-bond/5e4bdd75ae95f.jpeg)
Wellington: Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond wants all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is recovering from a back surgery, to play a few matches before the Indian Premier League, beginning March 29.
Bond will be travelling to Mumbai for a meeting with the franchise and asked about Pandya, the MI bowling coach is confident that the all-rounder will come back stronger.
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"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," Bond said.
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"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 comeback as he will not be over-bowled."
Pandya underwent a productive net session at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru recently.
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He was seen facing throwdown in the nets and mainly played with a straight bat. It is not yet clear if he will make a comeback in the South Africa ODIs next month or the IPL.
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Earlier this month, Pandya was ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after failing to regain full match fitness.
The decision was taken after the 26-year-old consulted spinal surgeon James Allibone in the United Kingdom.
Pandya underwent a successful surgery in October last year to treat an acute lower-back injury and has remained out of action since. (PTI)