Hardik Pandya will be “motivated” to show
what he is capable of as a leader, Ahmedabad franchise’s batting coach and mentor
Gary Kirsten said on Saturday, adding he is “looking forward to working” with
the Indian all-rounder.

The two new Indian Premier League (IPL)
franchises revealed their draft picks on Friday, with Pandya and KL Rahul named
the captains of the Ahmedabad and Lucknow-based teams respectively.

“I am looking forward to working with
Hardik as a young and new captain,” Kirsten, who won the 2011 ODI World Cup as Team
India coach, said on a Star Sports show. “I think he will be really motivated
to come in and make a plan and show what he is capable of at this level of the
game as a leader. He’s a great player. What I have heard is that he is really
keen to get into the mix and get involved.”

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The Ahmedabad support staff also includes Ashish
Nehra – as the head coach – and Vikram Solanki – as the director of cricket.
The trio have previously worked together at Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019.

The Ahmedabad franchise have picked Rashid
Khan and Shubman Gill for Rs 15 crore and Rs 8 crore respectively ahead of the
mega auction, where they will complete their team. Pandya was also picked for
Rs 15 crore.

“I am really excited by both of them. They
are both high performers – Rashid Khan has gone around the world, proven his
value anywhere, so that’s an incredible signing for us. I am very excited to work
with him,” Kirsten said.

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The South African coach also heaped praise
on Gill, saying the 24-year-old should be playing for India and that he has “great
flair” and “instinct for the game”.

“He could be a match-winner on his own… I
am looking forward to working with him and helping him give the best out of an
IPL season,” Kirsten said.