Just want to be in a positive mindset, not looking towards IPL 2022 as comeback: Hardik Pandya

It seems that Hardik Pandya might be in the perfect frame of mind ahead of the IPL 2022 that gets underway on March 26. He will be leading the new entrants Gujarat Titans. Gujarat had roped him in a pre-auction deal for INR 15 crore after he was released by the five-time winners Mumbai Indians.

Lately, the star all-rounder made it clear that he is not treating the upcoming edition of the marquee tournament as a comeback as he is still a “work in progress”. It is to be noted that Pandya has not donned the India jersey ever since ICC T20 World Cup 2021 in November last year as he is working on his fitness and trying to rediscover his mojo.

 I am just a work in progress right now: Hardik Pandya

“I don’t think it is going to be my comeback or I am focusing on it. For me, right now I just want to be in a positive mindset and I’m not looking way ahead, I am just focusing on things that are controllable, which is looking after my body and making my team win,” said Pandya while speaking to the IPL website.

“Eventually if I do things right for Gujarat Titans in IPL, then things will fall into place for the future as well. I am just a work in progress right now but for me, what will be important is that I will always be available for the players no matter what time and day. I want to give the players security and freedom,” he added.

During the media interaction on the occasion of GT’s official jersey launch at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium last weekend, Pandya gave a savage reply to a journalist who had asked whether he will be seen bowling in the tournament, saying to let it remain a surprise for now.

Gujarat Titans will kickstart their IPL 2022 campaign against the other new entrants, Lucknow Super Giants, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 28.