India all-rounder Hardik Pandya bowled in top-flight cricket for the first time since returning from a back surgery more than a year ago, with his team under pressure against Australia during the second ODI on Sunday.
Two days ago, after the first ODI, Pandya, who has remodelled his action to reduce the stress on his body, said he would bowl in the “important” games and only when the time is right.
On Sunday, the 27-year-old provided India a big breakthrough, dismissing centurion Steve Smith in the 42nd over during his four over spell.
“Hardik felt okay to bowl a couple of overs. Initially (we) just thought of trying (him) for a couple of overs but he felt good and bowled a couple of more. And I think he gave away a bit of (our) bowling plan with his off-cutters,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
Pandya bowled a good first over, conceding just five runs against a rampaging Steve Smith and Marnus Labuchabugne.
In his second over, Pandya gave away just four runs with the Australians finding it difficult to put away his slower balls.
Bowling his third over, he lured Smith into slashing a short and wide delivery, which seemed a part of his plan, straight into Mohammed Shami.
Pandya’s delivery stride earlier was too side-on but on Sunday, it looked open-chested, which he had worked on to reduce the burden on his body. On a day when the Indian bowlers found the going tough, Pandya returned impressive figures of 1/24 in four overs.
“It’s refreshing. It takes a load off skipper and the team,” said India vice-captain K L Rahul in the post-match press conference.