Despite the quality and the depth to their overall bowling attack, it must be said defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) aren't operating with the maximum number of bowling options they can from their first-choice XI in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in UAE.
The handicap being that one of their premier all-rounders, Hardik Pandya, has been playing as a specialist batsman. The 26-year-old has been fantastic with his power-hitting again but is yet to hit the delivery stride this season after coming back from a long back-injury sabbatical from the game.
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Speaking to ANI, sources close to the matter within the MI camp informed that this is likely to be the case for the rest of the season, with Hardik's workload a major concern, especially keeping in mind that he returns to the Indian set-up after this tournament and prepares for some major assignments.
"He is fit and looking after his body really well. But considering India's international calendar after the IPL, it was decided that his workload needs to be kept an eye on," a source said.
"It has often in the past been debated whether players are made to go that extra mile for their club, but we are keeping an eye on the long road ahead that will see India play Australia and then England."
"We should ideally see the next IPL after that and not to forget there is the World T20 next year."
"A lot of cricket is round the corner and we don't wish to be short-sighted and only look at this season. He is an X-factor for every team that he plays for and can change the momentum of a game with bat and ball across formats," the source added.
Personally, before the IPL 2020, Hardik said that he lets the physios and trainers be the best judge of how much he can push his body on the field or whether he should be rested from a game.
Being a contracted player, the Indian team management also keeps a track of Hardik's fitness in consultation with the MI support staff when he is busy with IPL duties.
"It is completely dependent on how my body reacts. I have not decided anything and right now the number of months I have been out, I just want to keep playing sport as much as I can. But obviously, there are my physios and trainers to take that call. Whichever opportunity I get, I will go out and play," he had told ANI.
