Hardik Pandya has not led any team at any level but the Gujarat Titans captain is confident of his team doing well in IPL 2022.
A series of injuries has kept him out of action for a while. The last time we saw Hardik was in T20 World Cup where he did not bowl.
There have been doubts over his career after he faced massive back issues, something with which he has had tough time dealing.
However, at the launch of the Gujarat Titans jersey, Hardik was pretty confident that he will be back bowling full quota of overs for his franchise.
A fit-again Hardik claimed his bowling would be a "surprise" element in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Asked whether he would bowl again, Hardik said it would be a surprise.
"Sir, it would be a surprise, so let it be a surprise," the 28-year-old said on the sidelines of their jersey launch at their home ground Narendra Modi Stadium here.
Hardik was picked by Gujarat Titans for Rs 15 crore in the pre-auction draft and was named the captain as the former Mumbai Indians star will be seen as a new role of leading the side.
Hardik said captaincy is about man management.
"Success is theirs, failure is mine. Our role will be to make sure the players are comfortable in whatever capacity we can help them out. Clarity, honesty has to be there," he said.
"In good times they don't need any of us. But the season will test you, there will be difficult times and that's when we will be there to support them," Hardik reiterated what he had said during an earlier interaction.
The Ahmedabad-based franchise will make its IPL debut alongside Lucknow Super Giants to make it a 10-team IPL 2022 and they will take on the Lucknow franchise in their opening match on March 28.
The Gujarat Titans squad also includes India opener Shubman Gill, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, Australia's Matthew Wade, senior India pacer Mohammad Shami and New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson.
"We want to create a culture where all the players feel at home, we want to give them a sense of security then only we can get the best out of them. We want to make them feel like they belong here. It's about creating a new culture."
The team will have former India pacer Ashish Nehra as the head coach and Hardik said it's fun to work with him.
"He's the funniest guy one can come across. He will never give you the coach vibe. It was very clear with Nehraji that let all the players decide what they want to do and give them freedom. You make mistakes but eventually you learn. I'm very excited to spend time with him," he concluded.
With PTI inputs
