IPL 2022: Sunil Gavaskar Says Hardik Pandya Is Showing Similar Qualities As Rohit Sharma After Being Appointed As Captain

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that the Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Hardik Pandya is showing similar qualities as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma after being appointed as full-time captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Under skipper Hardik, the Gujarat Titans have done astonishingly well in the Indian Premier League 2022 and so far they have been the team of the tournament, having won 7 out of 8 games.

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Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said that when Rohit was appointed as Mumbai Indians’ captain in 2013 he made improvements in his shot selection, and similarly Hardik has also done that after becoming captain. He asserted:

“What I see with Hardik is exactly what happened to Rohit Sharma when he first got the captaincy of Mumbai Indians midway through the season (in IPL 2013). Suddenly (we saw) Rohit Sharma from playing those lovely cameos of 40s, 50s, and 60s now staying right till the end and taking responsibility.

“His shot selections became much better (with his captaincy). Similarly, you can see that happening with Hardik, his shot selection is absolutely terrific. Of course, he’s an outstanding fielder and (that was the case with) Rohit Sharma, he was a brilliant fielder in the covers and close-in as well (in those days). So Pandya is showing those qualities too and that’s why Gujarat Titans are doing so well.”

The way Hardik Pandya has batted is commendable – Piyush Chawla

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla lauded all-rounder Hardik for his batting performance in the Indian Premier League 2022, asserting that he has looked in full control without any signs of panic. Chawla elaborated:

“The way Hardik has batted is commendable and he is taking a lot of responsibility. Earlier he used to bat at number 5 and 6 but now he’s batting at number 3 and 4 and so it’s good to see him do well.

“He’s looking in control, there are no signs of panic. He’s looking to bat deep, he knows that if he stays till the end then he can recover his strike rate if at all there is a dip in the middle stages. He’s looking very mature as a batter.”

Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif was also impressed with Hardik’s batting and said that he has a good batting technique and the GT captain is not a slogger. He said:

“He’s not a slogger at all. He has a strong base and a good batting technique. He plays brilliant cover drives and pull shots. He’s equally good against the spinners and plays grounded at ease and hits all around the ground. These are signs of a good batter, not a slogger, his basics are clear.”

Also Read: IPL 2022: The Best Part About KL Rahul’s Batting Is That Nothing Is Agricultural In His Cricketing Shots – Sunil Gavaskar

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