Hardik Pandya’s fitness has remained the talking point since India’s unceremonious exit from the T20 World Cup in October last but the all-rounder is unlikely to bowl at the start of the IPL, which begins on March 26.
Pandya will lead the new franchise Gujarat Titans in the upcoming edition. He hasn’t played in the Ranji Trophy this season and has been asked to attend an ongoing camp for white ball specialists at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
Vikram Solanki, their director of cricket, is keeping fingers crossed. “Hardik is working extremely hard in all aspects of his game from the rehabilitation and recovery point of view. He is conscious that he has to get up to speed with batting, bowling and fielding... He is on his path to recovery and playing a full part but we have to be patient with the demands,” Solanki told The Telegraph on Tuesday.
“Remember, he is coming back from an injury. Hardik as a batsman is an exceptional addition to any team. But if we take batting, bowling and fielding together then he’s a complete package. But having said all that, we have to be conscious of his long-term plans. We are very happy with the way he is progressing.”
Solanki, who resigned as head coach at Surrey County to join the IPL franchise, doesn’t think the team is solely dependent on Pandya in the absence of other experienced hands.
“Hardik is experienced when it comes to ability and skill. But there are people involved who will carry the burden of the middle order as well... David Miller is a fine middle-order player. It depends on how we line up. There are some exciting young talents like Abhinav Manohar. But until we finalise what sort of balance it is going to be, all I would say is there’s plenty of opportunities for people to stake a claim,” Solanki said.
The franchise has already been hit hard by the absence of Jason Roy who has pulled out. Rahmanullah Gurbaz will replace the England opener and will be the third Afghan player at the franchise after Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad.
Solanki has faith in Pandya’s captaincy, his lack of experience in leading teams notwithstanding.
“We see in Hardik the qualities that can turn him into a successful and very fine captain. We have spoken a couple of times about his track record as far as winning IPL titles is concerned.
“He has been part of our leadership group and has taken a lot of learnings from other captains like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. He will use all that learning in developing himself as a captain and will be well backed by the support staff,” Solanki said.
The former England cricketer added that Matthew Wade could be considered at the top of the order with Shubman Gill.
“Yes, an option certainly, but we have to sort of sit down and work on the various aspects at the pre-season camp from Sunday. I don’t want to speculate anything. But he has batted in all positions and has had some great knocks lower down the order for Australia. He certainly gives us options at the top and middle,” he said.
Solanki is pinning hopes on the young recruits. “We have some young fast bowlers. Yash Dayal is exciting and as far as spinners are concerned Noor Ahmed is an exciting prospect from Afghanistan.”
