Krunal has played a major role in Hardik’s recovery, gave him the confidence he needed: Suresh Raina

Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina feels that Hardik Pandya’s comeback in the IPL has been remarkable, not just with the bat but also with the ball. Hardik made his way into the bowling attack in the first game for Gujarat Titans. This was the first time since IPL 2019 that he took up bowling in the IPL.

Last year, he had mentioned that he was working on his fitness, and would like the selectors of the team to consider him only as a batter. The last time Hardik played for India was during the 2021 T20I World Cup. He took some time off cricket to work on his fitness post the tournament, and has now returned as the captain of the Gujarat Titans.

Impressed by his performance so far in IPL 2022, Raina felt that Hardik’s elder brother Krunal has played a vital role in his recovery. Raina added that he feels Hardik has received a lot of support and confidence from his brother at such a critical stage of his career.

Hardik is looking fit and he’s also generating decent pace with the ball: Suresh Raina

“The way Hardik Pandya has made his comeback, is commendable. In a player’s return from injury, his family, especially, his wife has to play the most important role and we could see the happiness on his wife’s face when he was bowling. His elder brother Krunal has also played a major role in Hardik’s recovery and gave him all the confidence he needed. Hardik is looking fit and he’s also generating decent pace with the ball, these are good signs for Gujarat Titans,” Raina said during an episode of Cricket Live on Star Sports.

Hardik’s comeback was a memorable one for him as he marked it with a victory over the Lucknow Super Giants. It was also the first time that he had won a game as the skipper of an IPL team. After serving the Mumbai Indians for several years, Hardik was named the leader of the new team. Agreeing with Raina, Irfan Pathan also had his thoughts to share on the 28-year-old.

“The best thing about Hardik Pandya is that he’s once again started bowling. You can see that he’s not trying to bend a lot while releasing the ball, which means he’s not putting a lot of strain on his back. There might be a slight dip in his pace due to this but bowling two-three good overs at the start of the tournament will give him the confidence to do well. If Hardik Pandya the batter and Hardik Pandya the bowler does well, then Hardik Pandya the captain will eventually do well. He’s looking to leave the disappointments of the previous season behind and make a fresh start,” said Pathan.