Sunil Gavaskar, legendary captain of India, has praised Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Hardik Pandya, adding that the composure he provides to the team is reminiscent of the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni). Hardik and Pandya will clash in Indian Premier League 2023 Final (IPL 2023) on Sunday at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Pandya’s Titans, who defeated the five-time champions Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2, advanced to their second straight IPL final and will face the four-time champions MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.
CSK vs GT: IPL 2023 comes full circle as Hardik Pandya joins MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in elite list
“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 said on Star Sports.
“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.”
Hardik Pandya: The new captain on the block
When GT’s first season began last year, Pandya was given the captaincy, and he led the group to its first IPL championship.
“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 cricketer 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 change 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.
Gujarat have suffered a defeat to CSK in Qualifier 1. On Sunday, they will attempt to take on Dhoni’s army once more, and Gavaskar predicted a difficult 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.”
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