HARDIK PANDYA'S FORM GREAT NEWS FOR INDIA AHEAD OF T20 WORLD CUP

While the Indian selectors will be pleased with Pandya's batting form heading into the T20 World Cup in Australia later in the year, they would be happier over the way he has bowled in the IPL so far.

- RENIN WILBEN

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 got underway, there were quite a few question marks dangling over all-rounder Hardik Pandya's form. He had been dropped from the Indian team following a prolonged run of low scores and fitness issues, which meant he could not bowl. For a while, he managed to hang on to his place in the team as batter as he was doing alright with the willow. But, once his form with the bat slipped, he became a liability on the Indian team as he was not bowling at all. There was further controversy as he decided to skip the Ranji Trophy despite being a contracted player with the BCCI. Even when the 28-year-old was named captain of the Gujarat Titans (GT), quite a few eyebrows were raised. After all, apart from concerns over his personal form, it was also a fact that Pandya did not have leadership experience. Three weeks into IPL 2022, though, Pandya has answered a lot of those questions in quite an emphatic manner. He has led GT to the top of the points table, with four wins from five matches.

PANDYA, THE MISSING ALL-ROUNDER, RESURFACES