India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is relishing his new role as Gujarat Titans’ (GT) skipper in the IPL 2022, saying the added responsibility and challenges have made him a better cricketer.
GT continued their unbeaten run in the ongoing IPL season as they defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets in a thrilling encounter at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Friday (April 8). It was their third successive victory in the IPL 2022 and they now occupy the second spot on the points table.
Hardik has been instrumental in GT’s success so far. He is batting at No. 4 position and also bowling his full quota of four overs besides captaining the side.
"I am enjoying captaincy, always wanted to have responsibility as a cricketer and that is the reason I have become a better cricketer, because facing challenges makes you better," Hardik Pandya said at the post-match presentation.
"I have been on both side before - I have won and lost - so (I'm) cool and composed because I try to stay neutral. That's our team motto as well, win or lose we are neutral, we celebrate our losses also, they are very important as it gives the wins more value," he added.
Gujarat Titans chased down Punjab Kings’ 189/9 on the last delivery of the match. Shubman Gill top scored for the side with 59-ball 96 while Rahul Tewatia hit a couple of sixes off the last two deliveries to seal the deal.
Before this game, Gill had slammed 84 against the Delhi Capitals and captain Pandya showered rich praise on the right-handed opener.
"Shubman is taking a lot of responsibility, he expresses himself in the meetings and that is showing in his batting also. He knows how important he is for the franchise and the way he has batted in the last two matches and didn't have to say too much to him, just to enjoy."
Rashid Khan was the stand-out bowler for the Titans, claiming three wickets by conceding 22 runs in his four overs against PBKS.
Praising the leg-spinner, Hardik said: "Rashid Khan is my trump card and I'll use him in the worse situation to bring me out of that. A lot of time I have seen that in the IPL, batters are trying to play him out which I don't want. I want people to attack him and that's where he has been very useful to us."
"It's a blessing to have someone like Rashid in the team. You know that at any given point he can put you back in the game. That's the role that has been given to him, he's the vice-captain because of the importance he has. He is an aggressive spinner who is always looking to take wickets," he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
