When Hardik Pandya sustained an injury in the ninth over of the Bangladesh innings in Pune on October 19, it became a concern for everyone as he is one of the key players for India. With his addition, India got six bowlers and also had batting depth as well at the same time. However, he was hoping to return in the game against New Zealand in Dharamsala. But that didn’t happen and he is likely to miss a few more matches also.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans Chief Operating Officer (COO) Col. Arvinder Singh had a chat with him. And, in a brief conversation, Singh shared the most important message to him.
“In the field you know we saw what happened on the field. Obviously he wouldn’t have access to his phone at that point of time but I spoke with him after the game yeah and I just told him one thing I said you need to get back ASAP, India needs you, we all need you,” says Singh in a chat with CricketNext. “He is one of those few multi-dimensional players who brings in three of the best aspects of cricket whether it’s bowling batting or fielding. Look at the value that he brings to the national team. So pretty sure that he’ll be back on the field and doing what he does best and will help India lift the cup.”
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However, Gujarat Titans picked up Hardik Pandya when he was recovering from his back injury and “wasn’t even playing cricket”. Both the franchise and the all-rounder then mutually decided to make him captain. Before the GT stint, Pandya didn’t have any captaincy experience also.
“We got Hardik Pandya at a time when he was not even playing cricket. We then mutually decided with him that he’s going to be the skipper of the team when he had not lead anything. He is synonymous with Gujarat Titans as a brand, as a franchise. He is right up there. It just rings Gujarat Titans when you talk of Hardik Pandya. He’s special, he’s definitely special,” says Singh.
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Meanwhile, Pandya is now going to miss his second World Cup game and the team management is hoping to return soon before the business end of the tournament. However, in his absence, India made two changes for the New Zealand game where Mohammed Shami and Suryakumar Yadav were added in the Playing XI. It will be interesting to see how they perform in their next game as well.
