IPL 2023: Hardik Pandya Has Been Very Open About His Admiration For MS Dhoni – Sunil Gavaskar On GT Skipper’s Captaincy Evolution

Former Indian World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar hailed Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya for taking his side to the second consecutive final in the cash-rich league, as the Indian all-rounder has exceeded all the expectations for him to take his side to a title clash against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.

Pandya’s reputation as captain has increased in the last year or so after he led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in their first-ever season. He received appreciation from all over the world for the way he captained the team as well as led the team from the very front. Hardik Pandya has shown the potential to lead India in the limited opportunities as a captain.

Speaking on Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar lauded Hardik Pandya for his admiration for the legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni and reckons that it will be a huge opportunity for the Indian all-rounder to showcase his captaincy skill against his master in the grand IPL 2023 final.

“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. But when it comes to the match, it will be a completely different atmosphere. It’s a very good opportunity from Hardik Pandya to show how quickly he has learned,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Hardik Pandya played a vital role for Gujarat Titans in leading their team to the first title in 2022, the GT skipper was brilliant in the opening season with his all-round performance for the squad, he took 8 wickets and scored 478 and he has been a prominent player for Men in Blue, with a good performance from the last year winning IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans, Pandya is now the Vice-Captain for Asian Giants in ODI and T20I.

Ashish Nehra Has Got One Of The Sharpest Cricketing Brains – Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar heaped praise on head Ashish Nehra for his influence in the team stating him as one of the sharpest cricketing brains. Hardik Pandya has a good relationship with their head coach Ashish Nehra which helped in the success of their franchise in IPL and reckons that the final will be a top-class one as the Gujarat Titans played like a champion throughout the league stage.

“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.

“They 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,” Sunil Gavaskar added.