Ace India all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a triumphant comeback to top-flight cricket in the IPL 2022 as he led the Gujarat Titans (GT) to their maiden title in their debut season. He also led them from the front, hitting more than 450 runs and also showing off his fitness by bowling four overs regularly.
For Pandya, it was an amazing moment as he was out of cricket after the T20 World Cup 2021, where he copped criticism for not being 100% fit and only playing as a batter, as India crashed out in the league stage, including a first-ever defeat in the World Cup tournaments to Pakistan.
Pandya then requested the BCCI selectors for time off and worked on his fitness tirelessly to be able to return as a true all-rounder. He made a successful return to competitive cricket and capped it off with a match-defining show in the IPL 2022 title showdown against Rajasthan Royals.
Hardik returned figures of 3/17 to restrict Rajasthan to 130 for nine and then hit 34 in the lop-sided final.
Hardik is also being seen as a worthy candidate for India's captaincy moving forward, and he has his eyes set on helping the Indian team win the T20 World Cup 2022 title in Australia later this year.
"Emotional-wise I was pretty alright. Obviously, I was happy but for me, it was more about the battle which I won against myself and kind of other things as well. Even qualifying was a big deal for me because a lot of people doubted us before we started. A lot of things were said for me before I made a comeback. For me, it was never about giving them answers but I was just proud of the process that I followed," Hardik told Star Sports.
"I've gotten up at 5 am in the morning to make sure I train and then make sure that the second time I train at 4 pm and give myself enough rest. I slept almost those four months at 9:30 pm. A lot of sacrifices were made but for me, it was the battle which I fought before playing the IPL. After seeing the result, it was more satisfying for me, as a cricketer," he further added.
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Hardik now has a different role to play with the Indian team and he finds 'immense' pleasure in delivering for the national team. He, however, flourished as he slammed 31* in 12 balls in the 1st T20I against South Africa in Delhi on June 9, though he went for 18 runs in the only over he bowled.
"I am obviously very excited. Playing for the country has always been special. Coming after such a long break and coming back fresh gives me the opportunity to kind of show what exactly I've worked hard for. Doing well for the country is more important and it gives me immense pleasure.
Every series or every game you play is as important as your last. For me, World Cup is the goal but this is the right platform to prepare for it. Cricket is going to come back to back so you always need to be in the rhythm. This series is a great opportunity for me to express myself. My roles will be changed, I won't be the captain or batting higher up the order. This will be back to what Hardik has been known for," he further added.
(Star Sports inputs)
