'Hardik Pandya hiding injury ahead of T20 World Cup': Star commentator says 'something wrong with all-rounder'

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Hardik Pandya is injured and there is "something wrong with him for sure", former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull has claimed amid the ongoing IPL 2024 season.

Simon Doull in his argument has said that the star all-rounder bowled the first over for Mumbai Indians (MI) in their IPL 2024 opener against Gujarat Titans (GT), and the second over in the following match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) before now bowling at all in the next two games.

Hardik Pandya came to bowl the 10th over against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in his side's last match, and leaked 13 runs from it. He did not bowl a second over in the match.

"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,” Simon Doull said while speaking to Cricbuzz.

Hardik Pandya was asked about his decision to not bowl against Delhi Capitals. He had replied by saying that he would bowl at the "right time". In the match, Tristan Stubbs smashed unbeaten 72 off 25 as Delhi finished at 205/8 while chasing 235.

"All good, will be bowling at the right time. Had it covered, so didn't need to roll my arm over," Hardik Pandya had said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Notably, Hardik Pandya was out of action for over five months after injuring his ankle in the World Cup 2023 where he featured in just four matches. The 30-year-old is expected to play a key role for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which starts in the West Indies and the USA in June.

Speaking to fellow panellist Harsha Bhogle, Doull reckoned that it would get difficult for Hardik Pandya to find a place in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad as a specialist batter.