IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya hits the nets – The last few months have not gone according to what Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya would have planned. He has struggled to find his rhythm with the ball after recovering from an injury, while his runs with the bat have dried up as well.
The Baroda lad failed to cross the 40-run mark in any of his last ten matches – which includes both international games and also Indian Premier League fixtures for Mumbai Indians. He was given a chance to roll his arm over against Afghanistan and New Zealand in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, but failed to pick up wickets.
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad captain Hardik Pandya hits the nets ahead of IPL, aims to get back to his best
Quite understandably, the once-indispensable Hardik Pandya found himself in the list of ‘extras’ in both the Indian cricket team, who sought a replacement in Venkatesh Iyer, and Mumbai Indians, who did not retain him for IPL 2022.
In such a scenario, the IPL seems to be Pandya’s best opportunity to prove why his chapter is far from being over, and the newly-formed Ahmedabad franchise has shown faith in the player by not only offering him a contract, but also making him the captain of the team.
Also Read: Also Read: IPL 2022 Venue: IPL stays in India, Maharashtra to host league matches, playoffs likely to be in Ahmedabad – Report
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad captain Hardik Pandya hits the nets ahead of IPL, aims to get back to his best
The 28-year-old seems determined to silence the critics. In a video he uploaded on his social media channel, we got a glimpse of what to expect from the all-rounder in the upcoming season. The Ahmedabad skipper was seen tonking the ball to all parts of the ground in the clip which was uploaded with the caption “In my happy space 😊.”
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IPL 2022: Ahmedabad captain Hardik Pandya hits the nets ahead of IPL, aims to get back to his best
Seeking inspiration from Kohli, Dhoni and Sharma
Pandya will be leading an IPL franchise for the first time and has said that he will pick different captaincy traits from three renowned leaders – Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“From Virat, I will pick his aggression and passion, his energy which is tremendous. From Mahi bhai it’s the composure, calmness, remaining the same in every situation, trying to see what new things he can add. From Rohit, I would pick the freedom, as he lets the player decide what he wants to do,” he said in a press conference, as quoted by ICC.
IPL 2022: Ahmedabad captain Hardik Pandya hits the nets ahead of IPL, aims to get back to his best