Former South Africa skipper, AB de Villiers has said that Gujarat Titans skipper, Hardik Pandya should bat at the number five position for his team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). GT will be hosting MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening match of the 19th edition of the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the opening match, AB de Villiers said Pandya should bat at number 5 as that is the perfect position for him. Pandya amassed 487 runs and picked up eight wickets as Gujarat Titans won the IPL title in their debut season.
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As per the quotes in India Today, AB de Villiers said, “Hardik Pandya batting at No.4 in my opinion is a little high. In an ideal world, I would like to have him at No.5 or 6. But I think No.5 is the perfect position for him. If it can balance out with the right-left (combination) and the match situation, I don’t think there is a better position for him.”
He went on to say that GT should have hard-hitting David Miller at number 4, Pandya at number 5, and Rahul Tewatia at number 6.
Explaining the same, AB de Villiers said, “You have got David Miller around him, Tewatia and Rashid Khan down the order at 7. I would like to see them break up the two lefties. Have Hardik at No.5, Miller at No.4, and Tewatia at No.6.”
The South African said GT have a tournament-winning bowling attack, adding that their balance will help them to be successful this season. GT have Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, and Rashid Khan as their main bowling options, with the likes of Shivam Mavi, Pandya, and Tewatia chipping in with a few overs.
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Explaining the same, AB de Villiers said, “Balance is the key. They have a match-winning and tournament-winning bowling attack. Also very experienced with a mix of youth in their batting line-up. They were no surprise to me when I saw them in the final last year. It will not surprise me to see them at the top again.”
