As we near the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), players, who are out of international cricket, have started to sweat it out in the nets to prepare for the T20 league. MS Dhoni was one of the first cricketers who was seen having a nets session at the JSCA stadium in Ranchi a few days back.  

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been away from the game since India's exit from the T20 World Cup last year, too has started to gear up for the upcoming edition where he will be donning the captain's hat for the first time in the franchise-based tournament.  

Hardik was roped in as the captain of one of the two new teams in IPL -- Gujarat Titans ahead of the mega auction, slated to be held across two days in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13. 

NEWS : IPL 2022 Player Auction list announced

The Player Auction list is out with a total of 590 cricketers set to go under the hammer during the two-day mega auction which will take place in Bengaluru on February 12 and 13, 2022.

More Details https://t.co/z09GQJoJhW pic.twitter.com/02Miv7fdDJ

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 1, 2022

The all-rounder had opted out of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season to focus on his fitness and white-ball cricket. A video has been doing the rounds on social media in which Hardik can be seen bowling in the nets.  

Hardik created a stir on social media after he revealed in an interview that he was picked as a batter for the T20 World Cup last year but was asked to roll his arm over despite not being 100 per cent bowling fit.  

Sourav Ganguly gives an update on Hardik Pandya's bowling.#Cricket #SouravGanguly #HardikPandya #India #IndianCricket #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/LfhlcxlsG3

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 4, 2022

Seeing Hardik bowling in the nets as he prepares for his new role in the IPL, fans slammed the all-rounder for making excuses while representing the national team.

What about national team??? https://t.co/VzHk8sXzev

— S K (@Kirun_View) February 11, 2022

Mohalle ke bachhe bhi chakka maar denge isko...

— Sunny 2.O (@Sunny2O1) February 11, 2022

It's still not clear how he was injured and not bowling since last 2 years. Sachin used to bowl even after tennis elbow. Such a shame, after ipl he will be injured again

— at.kp600 (@AKp600) February 11, 2022

As IPL is Approaching bowling batting fielding swimming and every possible task will happen. Wen comes to play for nation

— Live Life SINGH Size (@sourcezy) February 11, 2022 

Hardik, 28, underwent lower back surgery in October 2019 and he has not been the same all-rounder since. With back issues and workload creating a problem for him to deliver to his full potential, Hardik has missed out on a lot of international cricket.  

Hardik, who played for Mumbai Indians ever since he made his IPL debut, was not on the five-time IPL champions' retention list as they decided to let go of him ahead of the mega auction in which 590 cricketers are set to go under the hammer.

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