Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya has spoken out about his long break from the Indian team after winning the IPL 2022 title. The 28-year-old last played for the Men in Blue in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Hardik also has struck sparingly in recent years and was not named to India’s T20I team for the series against New Zealand, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka. Many believed he has been dropped from the team because he really can not bowl.
However disclosed in a video posted by GT on Twitter that he had decided to take a break to focus on his fitness so that he might bowl full blast again. He stated:
“Many people are unaware that I took off of my own volition. Many people believe that I was fired. You are only dropped if you are accessible. Thank you to the BCCI for fully taking such long breaks without bothering or forcing me to return, which is laudable on their part. Hardik will reappear.”
Whatever I did for my team, I should do the same for my country: Hardik Pandya
The all-rounder discussed how he hopes to have the same contribution for Team India in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.
In response, he mentioned: “I also told somebody else that now that the fans have returned, it is time for me to make a comeback. There seem to be a lot of games that I will play (for India), and the extra effort that I put in before entering the IPL will pay off. Make certain that whatever I do for my franchise, I also do for my country.”
Hardik will be the focus of attention once more when India takes on South Africa in a five-match T20I series, which begins on Friday.
Also Read: IPL 2022: GT Would Not Have Been A Success If Hardik Pandya Had Not Scored Runs- Aakash Chopra