Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has lauded Hardik Pandya for his captaincy in the IPL 2022 and called his leadership of Gujarat Titans, who won the IPL 2022, “one of the biggest revelations” of the tournament.
The Baroda cricketer, was in fact, GT’s highest run-getter with 487 runs in 15 matches. This was also Hardik’s most productive season with the bat in IPL. He even won the Player of the Final award in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, after taking 3/17 and scoring 34 runs against Rajasthan Royals.
Hardik’s composure in pressure situations and will to do the difficult things for his side were one of the most striking features of his captaincy debut. Throughout the IPL, Hardik took up the challenge of batting at No.4 and did not shy away from taking the new ball or even bowling at the death.
Hardik Pandya Can Lead Team India In The Future: Harbhajan Singh
Hardik’s solid returns in the IPL also earned his recall in the Indian side for the South Africa T20Is. Ahead of the start of the first T20I, he was also elevated as the vice-captain after Rishabh Pant had to take over the captaincy duties following an injury to KL Rahul.
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Hardik Pandya to become a leader for the Indian side in the future.
“One of the biggest revelations in this year’s IPL was the advent of Hardik Pandya as the skipper of the Gujarat Titans and the way he led the team from the front to win the coveted title is definitely praiseworthy. His intent and positive captaincy are signs that he can lead Team India in the future,” Harbhajan told PTI in an interview.
Hardik slammed a 12-ball 31* knock against South Africa in the first T20I in Delhi, but went for 18 runs in the only over he bowled.