Hardik Pandya started IPL 2022 on a good note as he slammed two fifties in the first four matches. He also bowled well and took 4 wickets at an economy rate of 7.75. But then he was ruled out of a game due to an injury. Since his return to playing XI, his performance has gone down. The skipper of Gujarat Titans has scored 116 runs in six matches since his return and did not bowl in five successive games.
Although Pandya’s captaincy has been lauded by many as he led GT to the playoffs, his fitness and form again brought him under the scanner.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja said Pandya “tried to show off” a bit too much in the early matches and ended up injuring himself.
“Hardik should blame himself. There was no doubt he was injured, and he was making a comeback. He bowled at 140 km/h, which was not needed. He tried to show off that he can do it, wanted to prove critics wrong,” Jadeja said on Cricbuzz.
The former India batter said Pandya was immature and should have handled his body and work load smartly.
“He should have played smartly. He is not able to run properly at the moment. He had 14 matches to perform, but he wanted to prove people wrong at the earliest. It has cost him as well as Gujarat Titans. You should know your body,” he added.