Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya on Saturday (April 30) said that there is no hierarchy in his team and that’s the major reason behind their success in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Hardik’s comment came after GT defeated RCB by 6 wickets at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai. It was their eighth win in nine games this season and they are heading towards a top-two finish in the league stage.
"As a person, I always make sure that I don't like to grow just as an individual. I like to grow with my teammates or people around me. That's the reason of our success as well. Obviously, I might be the captain, but there is no hierarchy," Hardik said at the post-match media interaction.
"Everyone is on the same path -- one for all and all for one. That's the approach which we're carrying and that is the reason I think the boys feel they are as important as the captain.
"So yeah, obviously enjoying the new opportunity, fantastic bunch of people around. With results going our way, I can't ask for a better start," he added.
Chasing 171 to win, the Titans were struggling at 95 for four in the 13th over but the duo of Rahul Tewatia (43* off 25 balls) and David Miller (39* off 24 balls) once again came to the rescue and took their team over the line with three deliveries to spare.
"Rahul has been tremendous for us. The kind of confidence he carries has been fantastic. They (Rahul and Miller) are stepping up whenever they're getting the opportunity and making sure that they get the job for the team," the captain said.
Before this game, Tewatia had smashed an unbeaten 40 from 21 balls while Rashid Khan hit 11-ball 31* to pull off a heist against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"With the kind of players we have, someone like Tewatia, Rashid and Miller as well, it gives a lot of value. Obviously we are backing their batting, it gives me more confidence that even 8-9-10 can win the game for us. That's a good sign for us," Hardik said.
Hardik Pandya also praised his bowlers to keep veteran RCB batter Virat Kohli under check as the latter returned to form with his first half-century (58 off 53 balls) in 14 matches.
"We executed our plans pretty well to him. There was one point of time where he was in his zone, rotating the strike well and that's where our bowlers made sure to get a few dot balls there to break their momentum.
"Rajat (Patidar) was also going fantastic at one point of the game but our bowlers made sure they kept it tight especially against Virat and didn't allow him to get into his rhythm," he added.
Gujarat Titans will take on Punjab Kings in their next match at the DY Patil Stadium on May 3.
(With PTI inputs)
