The allrounder hasn't taken the ball in the opening three games of the Indian Premier League amid a shoulder complaint
Hardik Pandya will not be pressured into bowling before he has fully recovered from a shoulder issue, his franchise Mumbai Indians have confirmed.
The allrounder has not taken the ball during the opening three matches of the Indian Premier League.
Pandya is understood to be suffering from a shoulder issue that has prevented him from supplementing Rohit Sharma's attack, though he has contributed scores of 13, 15 and seven with the bat.
He bowled particularly effectively in the England T20 series and has been a notable absentee at the start of the competition.
"We were obviously looking forward for him to be bowling this series as last season he was coming back from injury," said head coach Mahela Jayawardene.
"But after the ODIs against England, I believe he picked up a niggle. So that's something we are nursing at the moment. We don't want to risk it because it's important that we make sure that he is completely in a position to come in and bowl.
"Hopefully in the next few weeks, with work and all that, you might see him bowl. It's not like we are deliberately trying not bowl him.
"We would love to have him bowling but as soon as the niggle cools off and he is comfortable we should be able to utilise that asset as well."
Our coverage of the IPL is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.