New Delhi, Feb 15 : Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra said the team will be more than happy to have their captain Hardik Pandya as a batter for the IPL 2022, considering the back injury issues he has been dealing with over the last few months.
Nehra said it will be great to have Hardik — who was drafted by Titans as their skipper for Rs 15 crore — roll his arm over, but “if he is only batting fit, I will be happy with Hardik Pandya”.
”If he (Hardik) 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,” Nehra told India Today.
“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,” he added.
The 28-year-old player has not played competitive cricket since the ICC T20 World Cup last year.
Even before that, questions were raised over his fitness as the former Mumbai Indians all-rounder hadn’t bowled for MI in IPl 2021 and bowled just 4 overs for India at the T20 World Cup.
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The 28-year-old hasn’t played in a competitive cricket match since the ICC T20 World Cup last year.Prior to that, questions were raised about his fitness, as the former Mumbai Indians all-rounder hadn’t bowled for MI in IPl 2021 and played just four overs for India during the T20 World Cup.
