Not treating IPL 2022 as comeback, I am still work in progress: Hardik Pandya

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya will be the cynosure of all eyes in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.

This will be the first time when Pandya will be seen in a leadership role in the IPL and it will be interesting to note how he will handle his troops.

Furthermore, Pandya is making a comeback after injury and he will look to hit the ground running. The all-rounder had last played for the Indian team in the 2021 T20 World Cup and since then he has not been selected for the national team due to fitness issues.

Pandya has also revealed that he will bowl for Gujarat Titans in the IPL and he recently passed the Yo-Yo Test with flying colors.

Pandya stated that he is not treating IPL 2022 as a comeback and he is still a work in progress to achieve the big things.

“I was just spending time with family, working hard as always. (I’m) making sure I prepare well. For me, it was a time of self-realizing a lot of thinking about what I want and what will work for me going forward and I got these answers during this time,” Hardik told the IPL website.

The Baroda all-rounder added that he is looking to be in a positive mindset for the forthcoming season of the IPL and give his best to the new franchise.

“I don’t think it is going to be my comeback or I am focusing on it. For me, right now I just want to be in a positive mindset and I’m not looking way ahead, I am just focussing on things which are controllables, which is looking after my body and making my team win,” he said.

Pandya believes if he can have a good season for Gujarat Titans, then things will start to fall in place for him.

“Eventually if I do things right for Gujarat Titans in IPL, then things will fall into places for future as well. I am just a work in progress right now but for me, what will be important is that I will always be available for the players no matter what time and day. I want to give the players security and freedom.”

It has been a long time since Pandya played his last match and he is looking to follow the right process, which will give him the success he needs at this crucial juncture of his career.

“I am looking forward to this IPL because I have been away from the sport for quite long time. For me, it is very exciting, I will get to see where exactly I am after three months of hard work that I have put in behind the closed doors,” he said. “Result doesn’t matter because I have learned hard work doesn’t guarantee you success but the right process will eventually get you success.”

Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on 28th March.