Ashish Nehra, former Indian fast-bowler and IPL franchise Gujarat Titans' head coach opened up about the possibility of captain Hardik Pandya's bowling in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022.
After the conclusion of the two-day IPL 2022 mega auction, all the 10 franchises have begun preparations and making strategies for the upcoming IPL 15, which is likely to start in the last week of March.
Pandya’s inability to bowl at his full capacity is a major concern for the Indian cricket team for a long time now, but things are different with his new IPL franchise, Gujarat Titans.
Notably, Hardik Pandya was roped in by Gujarat Titans as their captain for Rs 15 crores ahead of the auction, but his availability as an all-rounder in the upcoming IPL 2022 is still a mystery. The all-rounder could bowl just 4 overs in his last competitive appearance at the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.
Well, Pandya hasn’t still given any update on whether he would bowl at the IPL 2022, but he had assured to surprise his fans in the upcoming edition of the IPL.
Reacting to Pandya’s bowling status, Gujarat Titans head coach said that if the all-rounder is able to bowl in the upcoming IPL 2022, it would be great for the franchise, and even if not, they would be more than happy to have their captain as a pure batter for the tournament.
Read Also: IPL 2022: Gujarat Titans spin coach gives a big update on Hardik Pandya’s bowling status
Nehra told India Today: “If he bowls, it's great. But to be very honest, we are more than happy to have Hardik Pandya as a pure batsman. I don't see any T20 team in the world, not talking just about the IPL, where Hardik doesn't fit as a batsman. Whatever number he bats, be it 4 or 5 or 6.”
He added, “Yes, there is always speculation around his bowling. If he can bowl for Gujarat Titans, that will be great. But yes, if he is only batting fit, I will be happy with Hardik Pandya.”
Meanwhile, as Gujarat Titans have picked a lot of India players at the auction likes of the left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore, Karnataka batter Abhinav Manohar, off-spinner Jayant Yadav, Yash Dayal, Sai Sudharshan, and all-rounder Vijay Shankar, Nehra is looking forward to seeing how they shape up.
Nehra said, “One of 2 holes, you always have to fill. If you see the same Shubman Gill or Devdutt Padikkal or Prithvi Shaw, they have become stars. Devdutt, we (RCB) got for Rs 20 lakh. But see where Devdutt is now. I am hoping for somebody like Abhinav Manohar or Sai Kishore to do the job.”
He concluded, “I’m really hoping and backing somebody like Vijay Shankar, who has been around the team, played for India. I am looking forward to how he will be doing because I really believe in him.”
(With India Today Inputs)
