IPL 2024: Is Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya hiding an undisclosed injury? Simon Doull thinks so

Former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Doull thinks Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is hiding an undisclosed injury. Newly-appointed MI captain Pandya didn’t bowl upfront in his side’s last two matches despite taking the new ball in the first three matches, leading to speculations of the reason behind it. Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024, Pandya bowled just one over, conceding 13 runs before taking himself out of the attack.

Doull, also a pundit on Cricbuzz, pointed out that Pandya perhaps has suffered an undisclosed injury and that is why he isn’t bowling, adding that he is refraining from admitting it.

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“You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He's injured. I'm telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling,” Doull said during a discussion on Cricbuzz.

Already suffering wrath from the fans in each game for his manner of appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain, taking over the baton from veteran Rohit Sharma, Pandya hasn’t performed to the best of his ability thus far this season. Let alone being effective with the ball in hand, Pandya has picked just one wicket at an economy of over 11. While batting, Pandya has scored just 129 runs in five matches, with his best being 39.

The fans at each venue, including at his home ground at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, have booed him for almost everything. The pressure seems to mount on the Indian youngster, who is keen to prove his credentials as a top star and a leader in the team.

No more injury, please!

Pandya has been an injury-prone cricketer, with his back being the most vulnerable part of his body. Following getting injured (ankle) during the Bangladesh tie in the 2023 World Cup in October, Pandya remained on the sidelines for over four months, missing all on-field action, including the Australia T20Is, away South Africa tour and Afghanistan T20Is at home earlier this year.

Since making hispreferences of playing only white-ball cricket for India clearer, Pandya was not considered for selection for the England Tests.

The right-handed all-rounder trained and rehabbed at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru in the meantime and returned to competitive cricket during a local tournament DY Patil T20 Cup.

However, with the 2024 T20 World Cup beginning right after IPL 2024, Pandya’s fitness and form will be crucial for India in its quest to win an ICC title.