The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 is nearing its conclusion, with the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans taking on the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday in Kolkata. The contest winner will advance directly to the final. Former Indian cricket team member Virender Sehwag provided his thoughts on the four teams that qualified for the playoffs before the tournament. The batting great also chose his favourite captain based on the team’s league performance. Surprisingly, Sehwag chose someone with no captaincy experience before the IPL 2022.

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“Hardik Pandya is one skipper who has most impressed me. I did not expect Hardik Pandya to command the team so well. I expected him to be as aggressive with his captaincy as he was with his batting. He did not do so. He was cool and collected,” Sehwag stated in an interview with Cricbuzz.

“I’m not saying this because his side won more games or because Ashish Nehra is a dear friend. When do you admire a captain’s leadership? It occurs when you make critical decisions at important times, particularly while your team is bowling. The improvements you make in bowling or fielding produce outcomes. He has remained calm under pressure, which is why I admire his captaincy.”

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Former New Zealand and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori believes Sanju Samson’s side has a minor advantage against Hardik Pandya’s GT, given the presence of three experienced bowlers who might benefit from their experience on a crucial match day.

“I enjoy the Ashwin-Chahal pairing. I believe it lends Rajasthan a distinct combination in the middle. So, I believe Rajasthan is only a smidgeon ahead because of those two and Trent Boult. Nothing can be taken away from Gujarat’s bowling lineup, but I believe Rajasthan has the upper hand,” Vettori stated at the T20 Timeout Show on ESPNCricinfo.

Also read: IPL 2022: Rajasthan Royals’ journey so far

Chahal is leading the Purple Cap race with 26 wickets from 14 matches. Boult has taken 13 wickets in as many games, while Prasidh Krishna has taken 15 wickets in 14 games for the team.