IPL 2022 | 'Fully fit Hardik Pandya walks into the side' - Ravi Shastri

Hardik Pandya marked his return to competitive cricket on Monday after a lengthy break. However, the cricketing fraternity kept their eyes glued on the one poster boy of the Gujarat Titans (GT). 

Hardik, the leading man of the Gujarat-based franchise, gave his captaincy career a positive start as his side trounced the fellow debutant, Lucknow Super Giants. Although Hardik was taken to the cleaners with the ball, he had a decent outing with the bat, stabilising the innings after an early fall of two wickets and scoring 33 runs.

As the 28-year-old's fitness remained sceptical before the game, he showed good progress and is well on the path to an India return. Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri asserted that fully fit Hardik Pandya walks into the side.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Shastri said that the all-rounder returning to his optimum fitness is encouraging for Indian cricket.

"He looks fit, and the early picture also says that he has probably worked very hard and realises that with the World Cup coming up in four months from now, he has got to be in at his optimum fitness. We saw before the toss he was bowling and loosening up, which is a terrific sign for Indian cricket because I think he is twice the player when he bowls. It gives that added strength to his bow. He plays and bats differently," Shastri said as quoted to ESPNcricinfo.

Further, the World Cup winner added that captaincy is an "injection" that can bring the best out of Hardik.

"Now that he is captain, there is more responsibility, and perhaps it is just the injection he needs to be supercharged.

'There is no greater site in IPL when someone like Hardik is in full flow. He is an entertainer, match-winner and crowd-pleaser. He has got the whole package. So one hopes he is fully fit from the tournament point of view, the entertainment point of view and course for his team playing in the IPL for the first time," the cricketer-turned-commentator opined.

Shastri stated that Hardik need not worry about his place in the team if he keeps his fitness in check.

"He knows if he is fully fit, he walks into the side. If he is fully fit and bowling, I don't think he has to worry about his place in the side; the other guys will have to. He is a match-winner and a complete package. He is a safe fielder in the outfield. He is a smart bowler; he judges things well because he thinks like a batter when he bowls," Shastri concluded.