Hardik Pandya
Source: Forbes India

Hardik Pandya is considered one of the key players of the Indian Team. He is also one of the top candidates to be given the responsibility of Indian Captaincy in the upcoming years. Aakash Chopra recently commented on Hardik’s Captaincy skills and believes he is consistently sharpening his captaincy skills.

Pandya has also picked up the captaincy of the new Team Franchise Gujarat Titans of the Indian Premier League. The team consistently performed well throughout the season and maintained its position at the Top of the IPL Points Table 2022. Gujarat Titans successfully lifted their maiden IPL Title in their first edition of the tournament.

Hardik Pandya as a Captain

Hardik Pandya
IPL 2023: “Hardik’s Captaincy Seems to Keep Improving” Aakash Chopra 2

Hardik Pandya since then, has prospered well as not just an All-Rounder Player, but also as a captain. In the new edition of the Indian Premier League 2023, Pandya’s squad continues to do wonders on the points table.

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Recently, during the 35th match of TATA IPL 2023, GT vs MI, GT scored their highest-ever total in the IPL, 207 runs against MI. Hardik’s team managed to defend their target and win the game with 55 runs. Aakash Chopra couldn’t resist praising Hardik Pandya and his captaincy skills.

Aakash Chopra on Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Skills

“It’s hard to win a match from a defensive position, we’ve seen this in the IPL. The point about captaincy was very salient. The game started with fast bowlers bowling quite often with discipline due to the movement of the ball. Soon after, spinners were introduced at the right time. They made an error last game in judging the dew and brought Noor at the end and Hetmyer punished him. He learned from that and ensured Noor’s overs were done earlier. Rashid and Noor, two spinners with five wickets, and Hardik’s captaincy just seems to keep improving,”

Aakash Chopra

“Mohit wasn’t playing well but he still sent him to bowl the final over and take crucial wickets even though he could’ve done that himself as a captain. He changed Mohit’s day from bad to good to maintain his confidence. I think Hardik Pandya as a captain is growing and maturing.”

Aakash Chopra

Hardik has consistently performed well since he came back from his major injury after the Asia Cup 2018. Hardik captained India against Ireland, where Team India sealed the series with an easy victory 2-0.