Former Pakistan gun fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes Hardik Pandya will need to prove his mettle in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2022 while leading Gujarat Titans.

Pandya is making a return to the game after a long time as he had last played in the T20 World Cup 2021.

Pandya has had fitness issues in the recent past, which has hampered his career in the last couple of years. However, the all-rounder has come back stronger and he will be determined to deliver the goods for the new franchise.

Meanwhile, Hardik has been leading from the front and he has done a fine job thus far. Pandya is batting at number four for Gujarat Titans and he also bowled his quota of four overs in the previous match against Delhi Capitals. The right-arm pacer was able to bowl around 140 km/h and also took one wicket against DC.

Pandya has the experience of playing under captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma and he is making the most of it.

Shoaib Akhtar said on Sportskeeda, “Pandya needs to prove a lot of things. He has just come out of Mumbai Indians, he needs to show that he is a good captain and a player. He means business. It is important that Gujarat Titans should qualify for the playoffs, it’s the first year.”

The Rawalpindi Express wants the two new entrants – Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants – to qualify for the playoff stages.

“So, want to see them and Lucknow get into the top four and cause trouble for other franchises, why should it be a monopoly?”

Akhtar revealed he has a soft corner for Gujarat Titans as they are a new team and he would want them to do well.

“See, for me whenever something new comes up, like a player or a team, I become very happy, I always have a soft corner for them,” he said. “So, for me, it would be Gujarat Titans.”

Hardik Pandya-led team will next face Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.