Former India head coach Ravi Shastri reckons fully fit Hardik Pandya can walk into the Indian team. The all-rounder’s bowling has been the talking point since the T20 World Cup last year. Hardik didn’t play any competitive cricket after the mega event and worked hard on his fitness. Shastri, after looking at him bowling ahead of Gujarat Titans game against LSG, opined that he has really worked on regaining his fitness.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in Australia later this year, Hardik Pandya’s fitness will be crucial for India. Interestingly, the Titans skipper bowled his full quota of overs on Monday (March 28) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). While he didn’t pick up a wicket and conceded 37 runs, the 28-year-old bowled his full quota of overs which is a good sign for Indian cricket.

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During the recent conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Ravi Shastri said, “He looks fit and the early picture also says that he has probably worked very hard and also realizes 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.”

Ravi Shastri reckoned that, if fully fit and bowling, Hardik Pandya will not be having in problem in getting selected n the Indian squad. to worry about his place on the side. He also termed the all-rounder as a complete package and lauded his bowling skills at the same time as well. In terms of IPL, Shastri felt that it is important for players like Hardik to stay fit and play the whole season to keep the entertainment quotient high.

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Explaining the same, Ravi Shastri said, “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. One hopes he is fully fit from the tournament point of view, the entertainment point of view, and of course for his team that is playing in the IPL for the first time.”

He further elaborated, “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.”