IPL 2022: Graeme Swann Happy With Hardik Pandya's Captaincy

IPL 2022: Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann is very impressed with Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills.

Gujarat Titans registered their 2nd win in a row in the Indian Premier League here on Saturday as they beat Delhi Capitals by 15 runs at Pune.

GT while batting first posted 170 runs on the board on the back of an impressive inning from opener Shubman Gill.

Titans then reduced DC to 43-3 in the powerplay with Hardik Pandya leading from the front as he picked up Tim Seifert’s wicket in his very first over.

Pandya Showed Great Composure: Graeme Swann

When GT announced Hardik Pandya as their captain, there were a lot of doubts if Hardik would be fully fit to lead them in the IPL. Hardik had not played any competitive cricket since the end of the T20 World Cup last year. He has had to deal with a recurring back injury.

But he focuses on his fitness and has returned to the field with extreme fitness levels. In both the games that GT has played till now, Pandya has bowled his full quota of 4 overs and has batted at 4.

Along with his fitness, his captaincy has been on point too. He has been aggressive as the skipper.

“He is like a kid who has been made captain of a U-15 team. Boy! Isn’t he doing it well, I was very, very impressed with his captaincy. He has got an aura and personality, he owns himself to leading other men. He looks calm, he always looks calculated,” Swann told Star Sports.

He further added: “His bowling itself is good. We are never allowed to ask about his bowling and he has put all the talks about his fitness to rest. He has worked hard on his fitness, he has gotten back to 100 per cent. He was bowling quick. He was very, very impressive. He is one of the main reasons why Gujarat have put 2 wins already.”

One of the most impressive parts about his captaincy has been the way Hardik used Lockie Ferguson against DC. He used him as an attacking option and Ferguson repaid the faith by picking up 4-28 in his 4 overs.

Also Read: GT vs DC: Ricky Ponting Unhappy With Delhi Capitals Batting In The Powerplay