India captain Rohit Sharma will have a headache selecting a strong playing XI for the 2022 Asia Cup opener with Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The gifted cricketers that he has at hand have piled up to such an extent that the decision may feel like a burden. But among the sure starters will be one man - Hardik Pandya.
FOLLOW LIVE:Hardik picks three wickets
The all-rounder comes full circle by meeting the same opponent he faced in his last Asia Cup outing in Dubai in 2018. At the time, Pandya was stretchered off the field for an "acute lower back injury". He clutched his back during his follow-through in the 18th over of Pakistan's innings before lying motionless. Pandya had bowled 4.5 overs for 24 runs until that point.
"Hardik had a back complaint during last year's IPL requiring medical attention and intervention. As Hardik entered the entrance environment in Dubai, he was assessed medically and a plan was devised to get him bowling depending how his body was responding to load," Nick Webb, former strength and conditioning coach of India, tells Sportstar.
The Indian thinktank wanted Pandya to contribute 2-3 overs in a match with minimal symptoms. However, across five matches at the 2021 T20 World Cup, Hardik bowled only four overs and conceded 40 runs. Compare that to 2022, where Pandya has bowled 28 overs in 13 T20Is and picked eight wickets at an economy rate of 8.53.
"There was a lot of pressure on the backroom staff to get Hardik bowling, but we had to block out the noise and do best by Hardik and create a plan that was practical given the time constraints.
"His assessment and subsequent plan were communicated to and agreed with the coaches to ensure clarity. Hardik understood the plan, both short and long term, and bought into it," Webb adds.
The results of buying into the long-term plan have been spectacular for Pandya. In May this year, he produced a magnificent all-round display as Gujarat Titans won the Indian Premier League in its debut season with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals. Titans captain Pandya took 3 for 17, including the wicket of the in-form Jos Buttler to restrict Royals to 130-9 and then hit 34 off 30 balls.
Hardik has returned to his best version with the ball this year, picking eight wickets in 13 T20Is. | Photo Credit: DANIEL LEAL
Webb also explains why Hardik bowled less at the World Cup last year. "The T20 World Cup wasn’t the right time to focus on increasing his strength. It was more about optimising what he currently possessed. Hardik took a self-imposed break after the World Cup to focus on his physical development and to build his body and mind with the intention to contribute consistently as a bowler in the future. An incredibly smart and brave decision which has paid off. He did need to get stronger and put on muscle in specific areas so that his body can endure bowling in the future."
Elite sport is relentless and getting injured is a tough time for any athlete. But it can also be a good opportunity to learn and upgrade the body and mind in a way that they are not able to during a busy season. "I’m sure Hardik had some frustrating days when he was injured. But Hardik is an incredibly motivated, focused, hard-working world-class athlete," Webb says. "With hard work and a solid plan, he wouldn’t have doubted that he will be bowling again. Team India and the NCA have some smart people supporting Hardik to get him to the point he has reached this far. I’m not surprised he has had a successful 2022 so far."
For Pandya, the next two weeks will give a clearer picture on whether this turnaround can amount to anything more than a continental title in Dubai. He was always meant to be this good – now he’s in command and carrying his side’s hopes, not only in the Asia Cup but also to the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
Comments
SHARE