T20 World Cup 2021: India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya hit on the shoulder; sent for precautionary scans

In a shocking development, Hardik Pandya was hit on his right shoulder when batting against Pakistan at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The all-rounder has been sent for multiple scans after picking up a blow on his shoulder during Team India’s T20 World Cup 2021 opener against Pakistan on Sunday.

Hardik Pandya didn’t bring the best out of himself with the bat. He managed to score 11 runs with the help of 2 boundaries. The all-rounder played seven deliveries before falling prey to Haris Rauf’s bowling in the third ball of the last over. When Hardik made his way back to the dressing room, he looked uncomfortable with his shoulder.

The swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya had to go for scans mid-game and as a result, he couldn’t step out on the field in the second innings. The incident happened on the last ball of the penultimate over when young pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a deadly beamer.

Hardik Pandya picks up an injury during 19th over of India’s batting

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was taken aback by the bouncer and missed the line completely. The ball went on to hit his right shoulder in the follow-through. Team India piled up as many as 17 runs in that over including 5 bye runs essayed on that delivery that hit all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Ahead of the game between India and Pakistan, the 28-year-old all-rounder had opened up that his back was not an issue anymore. At that time, he said that he won’t resume bowling until at least the ongoing tournament come nearer to the knockouts. He underwent back surgery in the UK in October 2019.

“The back is fine, it was jittery, but I won’t be bowling for now. I want to be able to bowl eventually, closer to the knockouts. The professionals and I both have to take the call about when I can have a bowl,” Hardik added in a statement.