The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is different. The tournament has expanded to 10 teams, not for the first time though, but the focus on certain players will be a lot more. One of them is Hardik Pandya who is leading the new franchise Gujarat Titans. Rather this is the first time […]
The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is different. The tournament has expanded to 10 teams, not for the first time though, but the focus on certain players will be a lot more. One of them is Hardik Pandya who is leading the new franchise Gujarat Titans. Rather this is the first time the all-rounder is leading a side in the IPL.
But head coach Ashish Nehra is not much worried about it. He stated that Hardik is very excited to take up the role of captaincy and understands that it is a very big responsibility. Nehra also recalled his conversation with the Junior Pandya during the jersey launch and that is what has impressed the former India cricketer.
Moreover, Nehra also reckons that a player has to start somewhere and that is when his or her abilities will be known. He is looking forward to learning a few things with Hardik Pandya during their stint with the Gujarat Titans in the franchise’s inaugural season.
“There are two sides to a coin. If you have an experienced captain, things work differently. But everyone has to start somewhere. Hardik Pandya might not have captained previously, but both of us will learn from each other as we start spending more time together during the season. He is very excited and very positive. He is taking it as a very big responsibility. At the jersey launch he said a very nice thing: “I have been talking to all my players and I’m just telling them, a win is yours and a loss is mine,” Nehra said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.
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Moreover, Ashish Nehra also opened up about Hardik Pandya’s batting position in the Gujarat Titans and also joked that he might open as well. However, the head coach stated that the skipper might bat at three depending on match scenarios at times.
“Unless he wants to open (laughs). Yes, he is a middle-order batter, but in IPL, based on the situation or some condition, you might also see him bat at no.3,” Nehra added.
