<p>Flamboyant India all-rounder Hardik Pandya's shoulder injury sustained during the T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan is believed to be a minor one and he is likely to be available for the next game against New Zealand on October 31.</p>.<p>Pandya, who did not bowl in the IPL last month, is playing only as a batter right now and scored 11 off 8 balls on Sunday night, looking distinctly uncomfortable against pacers before being hit on the shoulder by a short ball.</p>.<p>"Yes, Hardik's scan reports have come and the injury is not very serious. Also the fact that there is a six-day gap between two games gives him enough time to recuperate," a senior BCCI official told <em>PTI </em>on conditions of anonymity.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/hardik-injures-shoulder-while-batting-sent-for-precautionary-scans-1043850.html" target="_blank">Hardik injures shoulder while batting, sent for precautionary scans</a></strong></p>.<p>"But obviously, the medical team would wait and watch as to how he shapes up during the training sessions," he added.</p>.<p>Pandya had recently said that he would be bowling during the knock-out stages but India's chances hinge on the New Zealand game. Losing the match would seriously jeopardise their prospects of going ahead in the tournament.</p>.<p>The games against Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan are expected to be easy wins for India, Pakistan and New Zealand.</p>.<p>Therefore, if India lose to New Zealand, it will hamper their chances of making it to the top two in the group.</p>.<p>In this scenario, Pandya's fitness issues have seriously affected India's balance.</p>.<p>In fact, there are questions being raised about chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma assertions that Pandya will be bowling in the IPL to gear up for the World Cup.</p>.<p>He didn't bowl an over and the communication on Pandya's fitness status between the team management and selectors seems baffling at this time.</p>.<p>There have been conflicting reports about when he would start bowling.</p>.<p>Before the Pakistan game, the player said that he would perhaps bowl in the knock-outs but the statement did not look convincing.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Flamboyant India all-rounder Hardik Pandya's shoulder injury sustained during the T20 World Cup opener against Pakistan is believed to be a minor one and he is likely to be available for the next game against New Zealand on October 31.</p>.<p>Pandya, who did not bowl in the IPL last month, is playing only as a batter right now and scored 11 off 8 balls on Sunday night, looking distinctly uncomfortable against pacers before being hit on the shoulder by a short ball.</p>.<p>"Yes, Hardik's scan reports have come and the injury is not very serious. Also the fact that there is a six-day gap between two games gives him enough time to recuperate," a senior BCCI official told <em>PTI </em>on conditions of anonymity.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/hardik-injures-shoulder-while-batting-sent-for-precautionary-scans-1043850.html" target="_blank">Hardik injures shoulder while batting, sent for precautionary scans</a></strong></p>.<p>"But obviously, the medical team would wait and watch as to how he shapes up during the training sessions," he added.</p>.<p>Pandya had recently said that he would be bowling during the knock-out stages but India's chances hinge on the New Zealand game. Losing the match would seriously jeopardise their prospects of going ahead in the tournament.</p>.<p>The games against Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan are expected to be easy wins for India, Pakistan and New Zealand.</p>.<p>Therefore, if India lose to New Zealand, it will hamper their chances of making it to the top two in the group.</p>.<p>In this scenario, Pandya's fitness issues have seriously affected India's balance.</p>.<p>In fact, there are questions being raised about chairman of selectors Chetan Sharma assertions that Pandya will be bowling in the IPL to gear up for the World Cup.</p>.<p>He didn't bowl an over and the communication on Pandya's fitness status between the team management and selectors seems baffling at this time.</p>.<p>There have been conflicting reports about when he would start bowling.</p>.<p>Before the Pakistan game, the player said that he would perhaps bowl in the knock-outs but the statement did not look convincing.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>