IPL 2023: Sunil Gavaskar Praises Hardik Pandya’s Calm Leadership

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that the calmness Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Hardik Pandya brings to his team as a leader is similar to that of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni as well. Gavaskar also added that Hardik has a very good opportunity to show how quickly he has learned everything during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. However, GT will take on CSK in the summit clash of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 28.

While CSK beat GT by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 to enter their 10th IPL final, Gujarat sealed their berth in their second successive final, beating Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 on Friday as well. While sharing his views on the much-awaited match, Gavaskar compared Hardik’s captaincy skills to those of Dhoni and also gave credit to the GT captain for the team’s success. He told Star Sports:

“He (Hardik) has been very open about his admiration and affection for MSD, just like all those who have followed MSD’s career. When they go out to the toss, they will be very friendly and smiling all that. But when it comes to the match, it will be a completely different atmosphere. It’s a very good opportunity from Hardik Pandya to show how quickly he has learned. When he was captaining for the first time last year, nobody knew what to expect because he has been one of the most exciting and excitable cricketer as well. But that excitable part, we have seen over the last year. The calmness that he brings into the team is reminiscent of MSD. This is a happy team, which is exactly what we see with CSK as well. Hardik has to take a lot of credit for that.”

Notably, Gujarat beat Chennai by five wickets in the IPL 2023 tournament opener in Ahmedabad. However, CSK returned strongly at Chepauk in Qualifier 1 to register their maiden win over GT and confirm their place in the final as well.

IPL 2023: “He makes life look so easy” – Sunil Gavaskar on GT coach Ashish Nehra

Apart from Hardik Pandya, Sunil Gavaskar also praised head coach Ashish Nehra for his contribution to Gujarat Titans’ success. The veteran also stated that while Nehra makes everyone laugh in the dressing room, his tactical acumen cannot be ignored too as well.

The former India captain stated: “I would not want to miss Ashish Nehra. He is one person, when he is in the change room or the comm box, you cannot but be laughing. He makes life look so easy and he has got one of the sharpest cricketing brains.”

While talking about the CSK vs GT IPL 2023 final, Sunil Gavaskar opined that CSK have a tough fight on their hands, keeping GT’s form in mind.

He concluded: “They (GT) have always been a top-class team. Look at the way they have topped the table. They finished with 20 points, 3 more than Chennai Super Kings. It tells you how Gujarat Titans dominated in the league stages. It should not be a surprise that they reached the final. They have played champions cricket. And that’s why there are in the final. CSK know that they have a real, real fight in their hands.”