IPL 2022: Shoaib Akhtar Recalls Meeting Hardik Pandya, Says, 'His Back Muscles Were Extremely Lean' So I Warned Him And He Got Hurt In The Same Game'
Published - 18 Apr 2022, 02:35 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:07 AM
Shoaib Akhtar dying quality bowler who can hit 150 kph with ease, remembered meeting Hardik and warning him regarding his fragile back.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Gujarat Titans, has performed admirably in all aspects of his turnaround tournament. His international career was cut short due to a back injury, but he looks set to make a strong comeback for India.
Hardik is currently one of the top run-scorers in the 10-team Indian Premier League (IPL) with 228 runs in five games for his new team, the Titans. He also contributes crucial overs.
Hardik has received accolades for his leadership abilities as the Titans have won four games in a row. The ongoing IPL has possibly re-energized his career, and former Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has also praised Hardik’s recent performances.
Akhtar even believes the 28-year-old all-rounder will lead India in limited-overs cricket in the future.
“Hardik Pandya has the potential to be the most recognizable brand in Indian cricket.” “He wants to be known as one of India’s key cricketers,” Akhtar told Sportskeeda.
“By captaining the Gujarat Titans, he is now demonstrating to the Indian team management that he is a potential choice as India’s T20 skipper in the future.” “I would love for him to be India’s T20I captain in the future,” he added.
I touched his (Hardik) back, muscles were there but very lean: Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar dying quality bowler who can hit 150 kph with ease, remembered meeting Hardik and warning him about his fragile back.
“I told Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya about it in Dubai.” They were as thin as a bird. They lacked back muscle. I still have very strong back muscles behind my shoulders even now.
“I touched his (Hardik’s) back; there were muscles there, but they were lean.” As a result, I forewarned him that he would be hurt. But he claims to have played a lot of cricket. “He was hurt in the same game,” Shoaib Akhtar explained.
Hardik was unable to play in the crucial game against the Chennai Super Kings. He was allowed to withdraw from the game due to a groin injury as Rashid Khan took command of captaincy.
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