IPL 2022: If Hardik Pandya is fit and bowling, he walks into Indian team- Former coach Ravi Shastri
India Today
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya will come back into the Indian cricket team if he is bowling and fully fit.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is of the opinion that Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya will return to the national side if he is match fit and bowling. Notably, Hardik has not played international cricket since the T20 World Cup.
Shastri was impressed with Pandya's show in Gujarat's opening game against Lucknow Super Giants and said the all-rounder was a complete package. The former coach pointed out that it is important for players like Hardik to stay fit and play the whole IPL season to keep the entertainment quotient high.
Hardik rolled his arms in the IPL 2022 match against Lucknow Super Giants and bowled for the first time since the T20 World Cup in October last year, conceding 37 runs without picking any wicket in his four overs. Pandya walked in to bat No.4 for the Titans, scoring 33 off 28 with five boundaries and one six.
"He looks fit and the early picture also says that he has probably worked very hard and also realises that with the World Cup coming up in four months from now, he has got to be in at his optimum fitness."
"We saw before the toss he was bowling and loosening up, which is a terrific sign for Indian cricket because I think he is twice the player when he bowls. It gives that added strength to his bow. He plays and bats differently," Shastri said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.
"There is no greater site in IPL when someone like Hardik is in full flow. He is an entertainer, match-winner and crowd pleaser. He has got the whole package."
"One hopes he is fully fit from the tournament point of view, the entertainment point of view and of course for his team that is playing in the IPL for the first time.
