For 2 consecutive seasons now, Hardik Pandya has led Gujarat Titans to an IPL closing, and the all-rounder’s management expertise have commanded respect from all quarters, together with the legend Sunil Gavaskar, who has likened Hardik’s calmness to that of ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni.
On Sunday, the 2 will face off within the IPL 2023 closing, the place Gujarat Titans will look to defend the title they gained of their debut season final yr in opposition to four-time champions Chennai Tremendous Kings.
Titans, underneath the steerage of Pandya, sailed into their second successive IPL closing after blowing away five-time champions Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 to arrange a summit conflict with four-time winners Chennai Tremendous Kings.
“He (Hardik) has been very open about his admiration and affection for MSD, similar to all those that have adopted MSD’s profession. Once they exit to the toss, they are going to be very pleasant and smiling all that,” Gavaskar informed Star Sports activities. “However in terms of the match, it will likely be a totally totally different ambiance. It is an excellent alternative for Hardik Pandya to indicate how shortly he has discovered.”
Handed the captaincy in GT’s inaugural season, Pandya guided the crew to a maiden IPL title.
“When he was captaining for the primary time final yr, no one knew what to anticipate as a result of he has been one of the crucial thrilling and excitable cricketer as properly,” Gavaskar mentioned.
“The calmness that he brings to the crew is paying homage to MSD. It is a pleased crew, which is strictly what we see with CSK as properly. Hardik has to take a variety of credit score for that.”
Gavaskar additionally attributed the success of GT to teach Ashish Nehra.
“I’d not need to miss Ashish Nehra. He’s one particular person, when he’s within the change room or the comm (commentary) field, you can’t however be laughing. He makes life look really easy and he has acquired one of many sharpest cricketing brains,” the 73-year-old.
Gujarat had misplaced to CSK in Qualifier 1. They are going to now have one other go at Dhoni’s military within the closing on Sunday and Gavaskar mentioned it will likely be a tricky battle for the Chennai crew.
“They (GT) have at all times been a top-class crew.
Have a look at the way in which they’ve topped the desk. They completed with 20 factors, 3 greater than Chennai Tremendous Kings. It tells you ways Gujarat Titans dominated within the league phases. It shouldn’t be a shock that they reached the ultimate. They’ve performed champions cricket.
“And that is why there are within the closing. CSK know that they’ve an actual, actual struggle on their fingers.”