IPL 2022: If He Bowls, It's Great- Gujarat Titans’ Ashish Nehra Says Franchise Happy To Have Hardik Pandya Play As Pure Batter

Gujarat Titans (GT) head coach Ashish Nehra has said that the franchise will be more than happy to have captain Hardik Pandya playing as a pure batter, but if he can bowl as well, it will be great for the team.

The Gujarat Titans had picked Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill as their three draft picks ahead of the IPL 2022 auction and made some great buys in the two-day event which happened in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13.

However, a point of contention remains whether Hardik Pandya will be ready to perform his duties as an all-rounder or not. Pandya, who suffered a serious lower back injury in 2018, underwent significant therapy and surgery to rectify the issue. However, since then, he has not been able to bowl his full quota of overs in either ODIs or T20Is.

This has led to him losing his place in the Indian team as well. Recently, Hardik told BCCI selectors to give him some time to get back into full fitness, as he wants to play as an all-rounder and not as a batter.

We Are More Than Happy To Have Hardik Pandya As A Pure Batsman: Gujarat Titans’ Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra, the head coach of the new franchise, has said that there is no pressure on Hardik Pandya to bowl from the franchise, as they are happy to have him play as a batter. However, he said that if he bowls, it will be an added advantage to the new team, which is owned by CVC Capitals Partner.

“If he 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 taking just about the IPL, where Hardik doesn’t fit as a batsman. Whatever number he bats, be it 4 or 5 or 6. 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,” Nehra was quoted as saying by India Today.

Gujarat Titans bought 23 players at the IPL 2022 auction in Bengaluru, spending nearly their entire purse of Rs 90 crore as they look to make an early impact in the most-followed T20 league which will have 10 teams from this year.

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