Image Credit source: AFP
Under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, Gujarat Titans won IPL 2022, although in Team India, he will go against South Africa under the captaincy of Pant. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh has described Pandya as a contender for captaincy.
Former veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that setting an example and passion and positivity make Indian Premier League title winning captain Hardik Pandya a contender for the captaincy of Team India in future. The 28-year-old all-rounder is being touted as India’s future captain after leading Gujarat Titans to their IPL title in the very first season. Harbhajan said in an interview to PTI, “One of the biggest things about this year’s IPL has been Hardik Pandya as the captain of Gujarat Titans and the way he has led the team to the coveted title is commendable.” He said, ‘His spirit and positive captaincy are indications that he can lead Team India in the future.’ Now Harbhajan considers all-rounder Pandya as a contender for captaincy, then what will happen to Pant and KL Rahul, who are probably considered to be Rohit’s successors in the eyes of the team management.
Pandya made Titans champion
After questioning the players bought by the Titans in the players’ auction, the experts did not consider the team as the contenders for the title, but under the leadership of Hardik, the team won the title by performing brilliantly. Captain Hardik impressed everyone with his captaincy. Apart from taking three wickets in the final against Rajasthan Royals, he also scored 34 runs. More than one lakh spectators were present to watch this match in the world’s largest stadium in Motera.
Eyes will be on young players in South Africa T20 series
For the five-match T20 International series against South Africa, the Indian team management is relying heavily on young players who have done well in this year’s IPL. Harbhajan said this is a great opportunity for Rituraj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh to impress at the international level ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in Australia in October-November. The veteran spinner said, ‘This is a golden opportunity for these youngsters to do something special before the ICC T20 World Cup this year. The team management has included young players in the team this time against South Africa and they have the potential to do well before this prestigious competition.
Harbhajan, who became the first Indian to score a hat-trick in Test cricket in 2001 against Australia, said his eyes would be on leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal’s performance in the T20 series against South Africa. Chahal, performing brilliantly in IPL-15, won the Purple Cap. He said, ‘Yuzvendra Chahal is in the best form of his life right now, he performed brilliantly in the IPL, taking 27 wickets which were the most wickets by any bowler in this season.’
Karthik’s fan Harbhajan
On Dinesh Karthik’s strong comeback, Harbhajan lauded the 37-year-old veteran wicket-keeper batsman as a fighter whose spirit of never giving up earned him a place in the Indian team again. Harbhajan said, “The kind of cricketer that Dinesh Karthik is at this stage of his career is just trying to prove that he is still capable of representing India.” “His commitment, attitude and most importantly, the fact that he believes he can still give a lot to the Indian cricket team is definitely commendable and thus he has certainly set an example,” he added. .’
: Language Inputs
