Hardik Pandya took on as Gujarat Titans’ captain after playing under Rohit Sharma, at Mumbai Indians, for six seasons. The Baroda-based all-rounder has led his team to the top-spot on the IPL 2022 points table. They have won eight of the nine games played. 

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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that like IPL captaincy got the best in Rohit Sharma, it will do the same to Pandya. The former had taken over Mumbai Indians’ reigns from Ricky Ponting mid-season in 2013. In eight years, he led the Paltan to five titles. 

In Hardik Pandya’s case, the GT captain has improved batting-wise and is bowling too. The 28-year-old is the highest run-scorer for his side this season with 308 runs in eight games. He has been averaging 51.33 with 87 being his highest. 

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“What I see with Hardik is exactly what happened to Rohit Sharma when he first got the captaincy of Mumbai Indians midway through the season (in IPL 2013). Suddenly (we saw) Rohit Sharma from playing those lovely cameos of 40s, 50s, and 60s now staying right till the end and taking responsibility,” Gavaskar said speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports.

The India batting legend said that Pandya, who has started batting at No 3, has started playing better shots. 

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“His shot selections became much better (with his captaincy). Similarly, you can see that happening with Hardik, his shot selection is absolutely terrific. Of course, he’s an outstanding fielder and (that was the case with) Rohit Sharma, he was a brilliant fielder in the covers and close-in as well (in those days). So Pandya is showing those qualities too and that’s why Gujarat Titans are doing so well,” he added.