RR vs GT: Hardik Pandya standout new captain of IPL 2022, says Wasim Jaffer
India Today
IPL 2022: Former India opener Wasim Jaffer is among the many who have lauded Hardik Pandya's captaincy for Gujrat Titans. The newbies are on top of the 10-team points table after their 37-run win over Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya has not just returned to peak form with bat and ball but the India all-rounder has impressed in his first stint as captain in the Indian Premier League. Not many would have picked Gujarat Titans as contenders after the IPL 2022 mega auction but Hardik Pandya's men are proving to be the team to beat, if early signs are anything to go by.
On Thursday, the Titans comfortably outclassed Rajasthan Royals by 37 runs to jump to the top of the IPL 2022 points table. Gujarat, who were the only team to remain unbeaten until earlier this week, have now become the first team to breach the 8-point mark in the new season.
Hardik Pandya led from the front on Thursday, hitting a 52-ball 87 to help Gujarat Titans post 192 on the board. Pandya was electric on the field, pulling off direct hits at will as one of them got rid of opposition captain Sanju Samson. Hardik also bowled 2.3 overs and picked up the wicket of James Neesham before taking himself off due to a cramps.
Taking to social media after Gujarat's 4th win in 5 matches in IPL 2022, former India opener Wasim Jaffer heaped praise on Hardik's captaincy.
"GT have been the surprise package of the season. Lots of credit should go to @hardikpandya7 and Nehra ji. Both are quite relaxed characters and keep things simple. Hardik definitely the standout new captain of this season," Jaffer said.
Hardik had not bowled regularly in the IPL over the last two years due to recurring back injury concerns. He had not played a competitive match after the T20 World Cup last year until he began to lead Gujarat in IPL 2022. Questions were asked of his fitness when the Titans handed over the captaincy to Hardik after drafting him in for Rs 15 crore ahead of the mega auction.
Jaffer said he believes Hardik's return to form and fitness is the biggest positive so far for India from IPL 2022 in the lead up to the T20 World Cup later this year.
