The biggest question heading into the fourth game of the 15th season of the Indian Premier League, between Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, was whether Hardik Pandya will bowl and how many overs.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri was thrilled by the Gujarat Titans captain's 'excellent' all-round return to cricket.
Hardik Pandya bowled his full quota of four overs for 37 runs for the Titans, and batted at no.4, scoring 33 off 28 balls, including five boundaries and a big six.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the match, Shastri revealed that he had his eyes on Hardik during the match, and praised his bowling, saying that while he didn't get a wicket, those four overs will serve as a confidence booster for the youngster.
“Firstly, the entire country had their eyes on him, I had my eyes on him to see whether he was going to bowl today or not. And he bowled four overs. He did not get a wicket, but those four overs mattered a lot. It is because his game and the confidence he gained from it will now be doubled,” he said.
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Hardik's character, especially with the bat, impressed the former Indian cricketer, who came in at No. 4 and helped the Titans with the run chase after two fast dismissals.
“I feel he showed brilliant character. Especially when it came to batting. He came in at No.4 when two wickets fell and took the entire responsibility on his shoulders and that was a good sign going forward for Gujarat. And he batted brilliantly until he took a bit too much chance against his brother (Krunal). But until then his batting was sound, played excellent strokes and he played risk-free shots. Had he stayed, the game would have been over long back,” he added.
In response to a fan's inquiry about Hardik's prospects of making India's T20 World Cup squad in 2022, he said, “It will be very easy. If he is fit, no one can stop him, no selector can stop him.”
Hardik commemorated his first captaincy in the IPL with a five-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium.
