The Mumbai Indians allrounder did not take the ball in defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday (April 9)
Mumbai Indians director of cricket operations Zaheer Khan expects to see Hardik Pandya bowl later in the Indian Premier League after the allrounder had a watching brief in the field against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Rohit Sharma was unable to call on Hardik as the defending champions kicked off their campaign with a two-wicket defeat to Virat Kohli's RCB in Chennai.
Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Marco Jansen, Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar split the overs evenly between them but were unable to prevent defeat in the opening game.
Hardik, who underwent back surgery in September 2019, bowled with aplomb during India's T20 series win over England.
But a shoulder problem prohibited him from taking the ball on Friday (April 11) and Khan hopes he will soon be fit to play a full role as soon as possible.
"Hardik, as a whole package, is always of great value," said MI's Director of Cricket operations Zaheer Khan.
"It was a workload related thing in the previous game. He bowled nine overs in the England series.
"In consultation with the physio, we had to take that approach. There was a little bit of a shoulder concern but it is not worrisome. You will see him bowl very soon.
"The timeline you will have to ask the physio. In terms of Hardik the bowler coming in this tournament, we are confident that he will be chipping in with the ball in his hand as well."
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