Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans have made a stellar start to their Indian Premier League campaign. After winning all the three matches so far, the newly inducted franchise is currently at number two in the points table. Titans have done well in all three departments of the game and remain the only undefeated team in the tournament backed by Hardik’s stellar debut season as captain.
Talking about the captain’s leadership for the first time, Gujarat Titans star batsman Shubman Gill said that Hardik has given players complete freedom to express themselves on the field.
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“Hardik Pandya gives freedom to the players to express themselves. When you look up to him as a captain, you get a lot of confidence to go out and play the way you like and help the team win games. That’s what makes him special as a captain.
Hardik, whose own form was a cause for concern before the start of the tournament, led Gujarat Titans. Apart from the bat, the all-rounder has also been contributing for the team in bowling and fulfilling his quota of four overs.
Gill also shared his experience of playing for his other franchise in the IPL and credited captain and head coach Ashish Nehra for creating a good atmosphere in the dressing room.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is really nice, it is quite light. Especially Ashish Nehra and Hardik Pandya have kept the atmosphere very light. Everyone is excited and the team’s morale is going well after the first two games.”
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After making a zero in the team’s first season against the Lucknow Super Giants, Gill made a scintillating comeback to hit two half-centuries back-to-back.
Gill played a brilliant innings of 96 runs in 59 balls against Punjab Kings on Friday.
Though he missed out on a well-deserved century by a narrow margin, Gill’s innings ensured that Gujarat remained in the competition while chasing a target of 190.
Gujarat Titans eventually needed 12 to win off the last two balls of the match and Rahul Tewatia’s successive sixes against Odeon Smith sealed the game for the Gujarat franchise.
Gujarat Titans will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next match on Monday.
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