IPL 2022: No Hierarchy In Our Team: Hardik Pandya On Gujarat Titans' Success Mantra

There’s no hierarchy in a group of equivalents and that has definitively been the achievement mantra for Gujarat Titans, said star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has taken to captaincy like fish takes to water in the new franchise’s debut year.

Undesirable and battling with his back physical issue since his T20 World Cup appearance in UAE last year, Hardik Pandya’s height to captaincy for the new establishment had caused a commotion ahead of the season.

I Might Be The Captain But There Is No Hierarchy: Hardik Pandya

In any case, the Titans have blown some people’s minds with eight successes from nine matches, five of them arriving in succession after their Saturday’s six-wicket prevail upon Royal Challengers Bangalore to essentially seal their playoff spot billet in their first year.

“As a person, I always make sure that I don’t like to grow just as an individual. I like to grow with my teammates or people around me. That’s the reason of our success as well. Obviously, I might be the captain, but there is no hierarchy,” Pandya said at the post-match media interaction at the Brabourne Stadium.

“Everyone is on the same path — one for all and all for one. That’s the approach which we’re carrying and that is the reason I think the boys feel they are as important as the captain.

“So yeah, obviously enjoying the new opportunity, fantastic bunch of people around. With results going our way, I can’t ask for a better start,” the 28-year-old added.

The Kind Of Confidence Rahul Tewatia Carries Is Fantastic: Hardik Pandya

Yet again pursuing 171, GT was decreased to 95/4 inside 13 overs as they had a difficult condition of 58 off 30 balls. Rahul Tewatia (43 not out off 25 balls) assumed the part of a finisher with David Miller (39 not out off 24balls) in his company.

The pair took them across the line with three balls left. GT presently has 16 points from nine games and is on the verge of making it to the playoff games.

“Rahul has been tremendous for us. The kind of confidence he carries has been fantastic. They (Rahul and Miller) are stepping up whenever they’re getting the opportunity and making sure that they get the job for the team,” he said.

The other day at the Wankhede, Tewatia smashed an unbeaten 40 from 21 balls, while Rashid Khan made an 11-ball 31 not out to pull off a heist against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“With the kind of players we have, someone like Tewatia, Rashid, and Miller as well, it gives a lot of value. Obviously, we are backing their batting, it gives me more confidence that even 8-9-10 can win the game for us. That’s a good sign for us,” he said.

Our Bowlers Did Not Let Virat Kohli To Get Into His Rhythm: Hardik Pandya

Hardik likewise gave a great deal of credit to his bowlers to keep star India player Virat Kohli after he got back to frame with his first 50 (58 off 53 balls) in 14 matches.

“We executed our plans pretty well to him. There was one point of time when he was in his zone, rotating the strike well and that’s where our bowlers made sure to get a few dot balls there to break their momentum.

“Rajat (Patidar) was also going fantastic at one point of the game but our bowlers made sure they kept it tight, especially against Virat and didn’t allow him to get into his rhythm,” he added.

The injury-prone India all-rounder has not bowled in the last three matches.

“As for my bowling, I don’t have to… Whenever it comes, it comes,” he concluded.

Gujarat Titans in their next game will go up against the Punjab Kings at the DY Patil Navi Mumbai on May 3.

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