Former India Test opener Wasim Jaffer believes the IPL 2022 is a critical season for Hardik Pandya the allrounder in Indian cricket, as he needs to come up with solid performances on the bowling front. For Jaffer, Hardik needs to crush doubts around his bowling fitness and give a fitting reminder of his value to the set-up.
The Baroda cricketer was left out of the team after the T20 World Cup in 2021. There were suggestions that he has been given an extended time to recover from a persistent back issue that has held him back. But chief selector Chetan Sharma indicated earlier this year that Hardik may have been dropped from the team because of his inability to bowl at the full tilt.
It is an issue that Sharma would’ve been most livid with as Hardik was a sporadic presence with the bat during the World Cup in the United Arabic Emirates, which brought eyeballs on the chairman of selectors. Sharma had told press before the tournament that Hardik is ready to bowl his quota at full tilt in the competition.
Gauging the mood of the selection panel, Jaffer said it is important for Hardik to regain 100% fitness and form with the ball and deliver the goods on his comeback assignment in the IPL as Gujarat Titans’ skipper.
“Pandya has been away from international cricket for quite some time now. T20 World Cup is scheduled for later this year. If he wants to make it to the WC, his performance with the ball needs to be the best,”
Jaffer told CricTracker.
In a positive sign, Hardik did make a return to the bowling crease for Titans’ IPL 2022 opener on March 28 against the Lucknow Super Giants in Mumbai. The cricketer finished with expensive figures of 0 for 37 off his four overs. But for now, the most encouraging news for the selectors and the fans would’ve been the speeds at which he bowled through his spell. Hardik regularly touched deep 130 kmph with the ball.
It seems an extended rehab at the NCA in Bangalore is finally bearing fruits for him. Reportedly, the 28-year-old had also passed the fitness test at the state of the art facility and given an excellent yo-yo test. The selectors will now be hoping he can continue operating at full tilt for the rest of the tournament.
