IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans pacer Shivam Mavi praised Hardik Pandya as a cool captain as the speedster prepares to play under the all-rounder for the IPL 2023 season. Mavi expressed his excitement about joining the Gujarat Titans at a press conference and praised Pandya for being a very cool captain. The pacer also said that the GT captain supports newcomers who are young and that the atmosphere is really welcoming. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
“I am very excited to play for Gujarat Titans. Hardik is a very cool captain. He backs up youngsters who are new to the team. The environment is very friendly. So when a youngster steps in such an environment, it is a good thing for him and he is able to perform better,” said Mavi.
Mavi recalled his international debut for India under Pandya and remarked on how supportive he was at the time.
“When I played under him for India for the first time…he was very supportive… support is a very important factor and if the captain supports you it feels very good. It is in the hands of the captain and management to create a good atmosphere. You can see that a team performs well if the atmosphere is good,” said Mavi.
Mavi also spoke candidly about GT head coach Ashish Nehra, describing him as a friend who allows the players freedom.
“He gives us freedom, he lets us use our time properly on the ground and if you want rest he will allow it. He is like a friend, if you want something you can go and ask him. Sometimes players don’t feel like practising on the ground. In such situations, he doesn’t burden us…he keeps the environment light.”
Pandya will resume playing in the IPL in 2023, which is set to begin on March 31. In their inaugural season in IPL 2023, he led the Gujarat Titans to the title. GT open their campaign this time in the season opener against Chennai Super Kings, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31.
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