<p>New Delhi: All-rounder <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a> has declared himself fit to bowl in the upcoming <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/ipl">IPL</a>), a major boost for Mumbai as well as India ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.</p><p>Pandya has been out of action since last October after suffering an ankle injury during a 50-overs World Cup match in Pune.</p><p>The 30-year-old has replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain for this year's IPL, which begins in Chennai on Friday.</p><p>"Yes, I will be bowling," Pandya told reporters on Monday, adding that he had regained full fitness in January.</p><p>"My injury in (the) World Cup was a freak injury. It had nothing to do with my past injuries, it had nothing to do with my fitness."</p><p>A fully fit Pandya will be India's preferred seam bowling all-rounder at the T20 World Cup in West Indies.</p>.Ashwin has been an absolutely terrific cricketer: Gavaskar.<p>The change in leadership at Mumbai surprised many but Pandya did not think it would affect his relationship with India captain Rohit, who led the franchise to five IPL crowns.</p><p>"I don't think it will be awkward, or anything different. It will be a nice feeling because we've been playing (together) for 10 years," said Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the 2022 IPL title in their debut season.</p><p>"I've played my whole career under him, and I know he's going to have a hand on my shoulder always.</p><p>"He's been travelling, he's been playing. It's been a couple of months since we've seen each other. Once he comes, we'll definitely have a chat."</p><p>Mumbai signed English left-arm fast bowler Luke Wood as a replacement for injured Australian Jason Behrendorff on Monday.</p><p>Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)stalwart Virat Kohli will also return to action in the IPL after skipping India's 4-1 test series victory against England due to personal reasons.</p><p>"It's really good to be back, firstly playing cricket and just starting off the IPL," Kohli told <em>RCB TV</em>.</p><p>"It's always exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL season.</p><p>"I am pretty happy and excited to be back, and I hope all the fans are excited and happy as well."</p>
<p>New Delhi: All-rounder <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/hardik-pandya">Hardik Pandya</a> has declared himself fit to bowl in the upcoming <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/indian-premier-league">Indian Premier League</a> (<a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/ipl">IPL</a>), a major boost for Mumbai as well as India ahead of the T20 World Cup in June.</p><p>Pandya has been out of action since last October after suffering an ankle injury during a 50-overs World Cup match in Pune.</p><p>The 30-year-old has replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians captain for this year's IPL, which begins in Chennai on Friday.</p><p>"Yes, I will be bowling," Pandya told reporters on Monday, adding that he had regained full fitness in January.</p><p>"My injury in (the) World Cup was a freak injury. It had nothing to do with my past injuries, it had nothing to do with my fitness."</p><p>A fully fit Pandya will be India's preferred seam bowling all-rounder at the T20 World Cup in West Indies.</p>.Ashwin has been an absolutely terrific cricketer: Gavaskar.<p>The change in leadership at Mumbai surprised many but Pandya did not think it would affect his relationship with India captain Rohit, who led the franchise to five IPL crowns.</p><p>"I don't think it will be awkward, or anything different. It will be a nice feeling because we've been playing (together) for 10 years," said Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to the 2022 IPL title in their debut season.</p><p>"I've played my whole career under him, and I know he's going to have a hand on my shoulder always.</p><p>"He's been travelling, he's been playing. It's been a couple of months since we've seen each other. Once he comes, we'll definitely have a chat."</p><p>Mumbai signed English left-arm fast bowler Luke Wood as a replacement for injured Australian Jason Behrendorff on Monday.</p><p>Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)stalwart Virat Kohli will also return to action in the IPL after skipping India's 4-1 test series victory against England due to personal reasons.</p><p>"It's really good to be back, firstly playing cricket and just starting off the IPL," Kohli told <em>RCB TV</em>.</p><p>"It's always exciting to come back to Bangalore for the start of the IPL season.</p><p>"I am pretty happy and excited to be back, and I hope all the fans are excited and happy as well."</p>