Yash Dayal, the left-arm pacer played an important role for the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the recently concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). The Hardik Pandya-led side scripted history by winning the competition in the team’s debut season itself.
In a conversation, Yash Dayal lauded Hardik Pandya for being calm and composed in his approach while leading the side in the extravagant tournament. He pointed out that the talismanic all-rounder would always back the bowler’s plans and his approach instilled confidence in him.
Yash Dayal Would Say Hardik Pandya The Best Captain He Has Played Under
The 24-year-old pacer also suggested that Hardik Pandya, who was announced as Indian skipper for the forthcoming Ireland T20Is recently is the best captain that he has played under so far in his career.
Hardik Pandya scored 487 runs in IPL 2022 at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.27. He also picked eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.28. Taking extra responsibility on the batting front at No. 3-4, Hardik Pandya topped the runs chart for Gujarat Titans.
He also filled in the fifth/sixth bowler’s capacity, taking 8 wickets with a healthy economy rate to dispel doubts around his bowling fitness. The right-arm seamer reserved his best for the last by delivering an impactful spell of 3 for 17 off his 4 overs in the final.
Speaking about Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, Yash Dayal said: “Hardik Pandya is very calm and confident, and he knows what to do at what point of the game. He is a bowler’s captain. If you have confidence in yourself, he lets you take your own decisions. That further boosts the confidence of a bowler. I would say he is the best captain I have played under.”
Hardik Pandya’s captaincy in IPL 2022 earned praise from fans and experts alike. He contributed significantly with both bat and ball throughout the season and led his side to the prestigious title in stunning fashion. It is worth mentioning that Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the captain of Team India for the upcoming two-match T20I series against Ireland.
Yash Dayal Revealed Ashish Nehra Backed Him A Lot From Beginning
Yash Dayal further explained how he had the support of Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra in IPL 2022. He mentioned that the former cricketer taught him the importance of sticking to the basics rather than trying too many different things.
Yash Dayal added that Ashish Nehra helped him perfect the seam and wrist position for in-swing and out-swing. The youngster also highlighted that the ex-pacer also guided him in preparing plans for different situations.
Yash Dayal explained: “Ashish Nehra backed me a lot from the beginning. Earlier I used to try a lot of different things and experiment. But Ashish sir taught me that one must be centered and focused, and taught me some basic plans to follow without taking too much pressure and not being harsh on yourself. It’s a very competitive level of cricket so you must be smart too.”
“He taught me seam position for outswing, how to position the hand if you’re bowling inswing. He made me work on control a lot. He said how you deliver and execute is crucial, like how you bowl to the openers initially, what’s your plan for them, different plans for death over.”
The left-arm pacer was picked up by the Gujarat-based franchise for ₹3.20 crore at the IPL 2022 auction. He featured in nine games for the franchise in the latest edition and bagged 11 wickets. Yash Dayal, the Gujarat Titans’ pacer had picked 11 scalps in 9 IPL 2022 games averaging 26.91 including a career-best of 3/40 against Rajasthan in his debut game.
A host of Gujarat Titans players have lauded Ashish Nehra’s role in their title-winning run in IPL 2022. They have pointed out that the former Indian pacer always asked them to take it easy and not to take too much stress. Many cricket experts were skeptical when the Gujarat Titans named Hardik Pandya as their skipper ahead of IPL 2022. However, the all-rounder proved them wrong by taking the IPL newcomers to the title.