The flamboyant Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has been impressing one and all in his maiden captaincy assignment in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. He is leading Gujarat Titans (GT) from the front and as a result, they are at the top of the IPL 2022 points table with four wins in five games. Hardik hasn’t just delivered in all three departments but his field placements and rotation of bowlers have also been pretty accurate.
With the 28-year-old putting such stellar performances, several fans and cricketing pundits have come forward to laud him. Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary is the latest to do so. The cricketer-turned-politician took to Twitter on April 14 and lavished massive praises on Hardik Pandya. Manoj even backed him to become India’s next captain in white-ball cricket.
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In his tweet, Manoj Tiwary wrote: “If ever there is a debate on who is going to replace or in competition for Captaining team India in the shorter format then it has to be @hardikpandya7 Yes whatever little I have seen of him in this #IPL as far his leadership skill is concerned, I’m damn impressed with it #RRvGT”.
If ever there is a debate on who is going to replace or in competition for Captaining team India 🇮🇳 in shorter format then it has to be @hardikpandya7 Yes watever little I have seen of him in this #IPL as far his leadership skill is concerned, I’m damn impressed wit it 👍 #RRvGT
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) April 14, 2022
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was at his all-around best in GT’s last match against Rajasthan Royals. Coming to bat at number four, he smashed RR bowlers all around the park and scored 87 off just 52 deliveries. As a result, GT posted 192 for four in their allotted 20 overs. He later made a mark with a ball as well, conceding 18 runs in 2.3 overs and also taking a wicket in the process.
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As a result, GT clinched a 37-run win over RR. With GT losing just one game so far this season, they must back themselves to comfortably reach the playoffs. Hardik, who has been enjoying his new role, will have the onus to extend his stellar run. Meanwhile, the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah are currently the frontrunners to become India’s future captain and Hardik might also join that list courtesy of his stellar show in IPL 2022.
