Hardik Pandya has not fulfilled his promise yet: Russell Arnold

The new teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) will kick start their campaign at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

While KL Rahul has had prior experience of leading an IPL side, this will be the first time we will see Hardik Pandya in that role, as he embarks on a fresh start with GT.

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russell Arnold reckons while Pandya is a talented cricketer, he is yet to fulfil his promise. 

“Hardik Pandya, however talented he is, there is something unknown around him,” Arnold said on Cricket.com’s while previewing the match.

“He has not fulfilled the potential he promises all the time. Impact in the middle, he'll change a game for you, but how often does he do it? We know he is going to bowl, but how many overs? I still feel, we haven't seen the best of him. With the pressure on him in this new role, he could struggle a bit.”

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was bought for INR 2 crore in the auction by LSG and his countryman Arnold believes that with better bowlers around him, the fast bowler could thrive in this team.

“I believe he is a complete bowler. He has improved of late. Sometimes if he had a better attack around him, he will shine even further,” Arnold said.

“In India, I'm sure you are thinking of what you saw in the three T20Is there. Sri Lanka were always under the pump. There were not many runs to defend and Chameera in that Sri Lanka attack has to bowl at the toughest of times and he responds. 

“He has done pretty well. Imagine if there were two or three other bowlers who also who could relieve that pressure and Chameera to be able to at times where he is a little bit more comfortable, what he will be able to achieve. 

“You think about the runs on the board as well. There you're not looking for that glory ball all the time. Sometimes, the team that you play with is misleading because there is too much asked of you. Chameera has got the slower balls, the attitude and keep running in at various stages of the game and give you something all the time.”

Fast bowler Dominic Drakes and Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz are an unknown quantity in the IPL. While Drakes was picked up for INR 1.1 crore by LSG, Gurbaz replaced Jason Roy at GT. 

Arnold reckons Gurbaz could surprise a few with his strokeplay. 

“Gurbaz is improving, he still is very young. He can surprise the opposition because he possesses a lot of power and he can surprise you with areas he hits in the ground,” Arnold, who has played 225 international matches for Sri Lanka, said.

“With a younger player converting 20-30 to a 50-60, which makes a difference to your team is what you want to see from Gurbaz. Each time I've seen him, he's improving. He is getting better and better.

“It's an interesting pick and looking at what GT have, to be up there with Shubman Gill who is more of a correct player, who'll probably play the role of KL Rahul, Gurbaz going crazy could just be the tonic they need to take the pressure off Gill and give the GT innings some momentum.”

As far as Drakes is concerned, Arnold believes his left-arm seam will give the LSG bowling attack some variety.

“Drakes with his left-arm seam will bring you come variety. Always good to have a left-armer in there. He's got the cushion of having senior bowlers around him to rely on and improve his game. Hopefully, GT will benefit from the variety in their attack,” Arnold opined.