The Mumbai Indians allrounder is “is running out of time” to regain 100% fitness after being absent on the bowling front for two full IPL seasons and only occasionally bowling for India since September last year, a BCCI official close to the selection matters revealed to the Times of India.
While Hardik also is an impactful powerhitter with the bat, understandably, his true value is served to the side when he is rolling his arm over for at least 2-3 overs and adding great balance to the playing XI.
However, with the 28-year-old yet to fully recover from the effects of his lower back surgery and not bowling, there is a chance that chief selector Chetan Sharma and company may rethink his place in the T20 World Cup squad.
“It’s not decided if Hardik will be dropped altogether if he doesn’t get bowling ready. But he is running out of time as an allrounder. If any one of Thakur and Deepak gets in, then there’s a chance of the selectors asking Harshal Patel to stay back in UAE.”
the BCCI official told, as per TOI.
It was widely believed that the deadline to make any squad changes was October 10. But an ICC source confirmed to TOI that teams have a seven-day prior window from the start of their first game before which they can make those changes.
Since India are part of the Super 12 stage and begin their campaign not before October 24, they have time till “October 15 midnight” – two days prior to the World Cup’s start – to tweak their contingent.
Reportedly there are also concerns around mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy and his knee issue. But the BCCI official said that the team management, including skipper Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri, are “very keen” to have him. A final call on his selection depends on how confident the medical staff feels of managing Chakravarthy through the competition.
