Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar praises Hardik Pandya and says the calmness that he brings into the team reminds him of the legendary MS Dhoni.
Sunil Gavaskar Praises Hardik
Gujarat Titans who made their maiden appearance last season made their consecutive appearance in the final under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. Many cricket experts praise Hardik for his calm composure during the game.
Gujarat Titans qualified for the IPL 2023 final by defeating 5 times IPL champions Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2.
“He (Hardik) has been very open about his admiration and affection for MSD, just like all those who have followed MSD’s career. When they go out to the toss, they will be very friendly and smiling all that,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
“But when it comes to the match, it will be a completely different atmosphere. It’s a very good opportunity for Hardik Pandya to show how quickly he has learned.” Handed the captaincy in GT’s inaugural season, Pandya guided the team to a maiden IPL title.
“When he was captaining for the first time last year, nobody knew what to expect because he has been one of the most exciting and excitable cricketers as well. But that excitable part, we have seen over the last year,” Gavaskar said.
“The calmness that he brings into the team is reminiscent of MSD. This is a happy team, which is exactly what we see with CSK as well. Hardik has to take a lot of credit for that.” Gavaskar also attributed the success of GT to coach Ashish Nehra.
“I would not want to miss Ashish Nehra. He is one person, when he is in the changing room or the comm box, you cannot but be laughing. He makes life look so easy and he has got one of the sharpest cricketing brains,” the 73-year-old said.
Gujarat Titans lost Qualifier 1 to CSK and managed to make their way to the final by beating MI in Qualifier 2. Gujarat Titans will make another face-off against Dhoni’s army in the finals on Sunday and Gavaskar said it will a tough battle for the Chennai team.
“They (GT) have always been a top-class team. Look at the way they have topped the table. They finished with 20 points, 3 more than Chennai Super Kings. It tells you how Gujarat Titans dominated in the league stages. It should not be a surprise that they reached the final. They have played champions cricket.
“And that’s why there are in the final. CSK know that they have a real, real fight in their hands.”
The IPL 2023 final will be played between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans on May 28 in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
