GT VS CSK: “Hardik Pandya reads the game really well just like MS Dhoni”- Anil Kumble

GT VS CSK: Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans will take on MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural match of IPL 2023 in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the much-awaited game, Team India’s legendary spinner Anil Kumble has applauded Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills as he reckons Hardik reads the game really well just like MS Dhoni.

Both MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya got successful as leaders right from the word go. The former skipper led the Indian team to clinch the 2007 T20 World Cup trophy and then consistently did well for the CSK franchise. Similarly, Hardik led Gujarat Titans to lift the IPL 2022 trophy and has done exceptionally well as Team India’s captain in T20Is as well. Hardik Pandya made his international debut under the leadership of MS Dhoni in the year 2016 and must have learned a thing or two about leadership from him. As a captain, Hardik has shown immense calmness on the field just like MS Dhoni does.

“He reads the game really well, just like MS Dhoni. You can see that in the way he bats and bowls, and also manages his bowling resources,” Anil Kumble said on the ‘Insiders Preview – Hardik Pandya’ show on Jio Cinema.

Hardik Pandya is a complete package: Anil Kumble

“For a fast bowler to be bowling at that pace and then coming in and batting in whichever situation, we have seen that with Mumbai Indians, he did the finisher’s role but last year we saw a different Hardik Pandya, the captain played a different role for Gujarat. In that sense, he’s the complete package you’d expect from a player.”

Hardik Pandya will be crucial for Gujarat Titans’ success in IPL 2023 as well. He provides balance to their team combination as he can easily bat in the top 5 and regularly bowls his four overs. Along with a couple of other all-rounders, Hardik makes sure that they have enough bowling options. The aggressive all-rounder along with Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten handled the Gujarat Titans side really well. With a couple of new guys like Kane Williamson and Shivam Mavi getting into the squad, GT looks an even stronger squad on paper.

They’ll look to get the momentum going right from the first game against CSK. Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills will be tested against a side that always comes up with strong strategies.