IPL 2023: “Number 5 is the perfect batting position for Hardik Pandya”, AB de Villiers

Hardik Pandya was the key pillar of Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League as he batted at the number 4 position in most of the games. Former South African batter AB de Villiers believes number 5 is the ideal batting position for Hardik Pandya in IPL 2023.

The star all-rounder amassed 487 runs in 15 games in IPL 2022 at a strike rate of 131.26. Pandya scored four crucial fifties as well and ended up being the highest run-getter for the Gujarat Titans franchise.

“Hardik Pandya batting at No.4 in my opinion is a little high. In an ideal world, I would like to have him at No.5 or 6. But I think No.5 is the perfect position for him. If it can balance out with the right-left (combination) and the match situation, I don’t think there is a better position for him,” De Villiers said on Jio Cinema.

“You have got David Miller around him, Tewatia and Rashid Khan down the order at 7. I would like to see them break up the two lefties. Have Hardik at No.5, Miller at No.4 and Tewatia at No.6,” the former South African batter further added.

Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup for IPL 2023

The GT franchise have got young star batter Shubman Gill as their opener who was the second-highest run-getter for them in the previous IPL season. Shubman Gill is in prime form and has scored in all three formats of the game for the Indian team. Along with Shubman Gill, wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha too got decent success as the opener last year. Gujarat Titans will have to choose either Saha or Matthew Wade to play the role of wicketkeeper and bat in the top order.

Hardik Pandya and David Miller are their mainstays in the middle order. However, David Miller will miss a couple of games in the initial phase of IPL 2023. Gujarat Titans have the option of choosing Kane Williamson as well. The Gujarat Titans have also got a couple of young Indian batters who might get a chance in the middle order. Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan can play the role of match-finishers just as they did in IPL 2022.