Hardik Pandya was written off by many, however, he made a roaring comeback in IPL 2022. With Hardik batting at 4, he brought stability to Gujarat Titans’ not-so-strong batting line-up. In addition, Hardik also recorded his IPL career’s best bowling figures (3/17) in the IPL 2022 Final versus Rajasthan Royals. Cricket fans look optimistic with one of India’s finest all-rounders of the current setup getting back in shape just ahead of the upcoming T20 WC 2022. Former India head-coach Ravi Shastri opened up about Hardik Pandya returning to the Indian side after his brilliant IPL outing. Shastri has worked closely with Hardik and urges India to not take the risk of playing him in ODIs and reserve him for T20 WC 2022 to be held in Australia.
Ravi Shastri suggests limiting Hardik Pandya to the shorter format till T20 World Cup
“He will walk back into that squad for me either as a batter or as an all-rounder. I don’t think he is that badly injured where he cannot bowl you two overs. He has had ample rest and he will continue to have ample rest because that’s the only format he should play going into the World Cup. They shouldn’t take the risk of making him play ODI cricket.”
Ravi Shastri
Shastri lavishes huge praise for Hardik as he believes the 28-year-old can be used in 2 positions. You can use Hardik as a number 4 batter as well as an all-rounder batting at 5 or 6. Moreover, Ravi Shastri insists Hardik does the job of two.
“Massive, he does the job for two players. A Hardik Pandya playing just as a batter would mean he has to bat in the top four or five, but Hardik Pandya playing as an all-rounder means he can bat at five, six, or four and still bowl those two-three overs for you.”
Shastri added
