Hardik Pandya is a high-profile player who is incredibly humble, according to Gujarat Titans coach Gary Kirsten.

  • May 30, 2022, 12:59 p.m.

Hardik Pandya's eagerness to learn as captain and his ability to effectively engage with his teammates contributed massively to the Gujarat Titans' title-winning run on their IPL debut, said team mentor Gary Kirsten on Sunday. Kirsten, who coached India to the 2011 World Cup title, was all praise for Hardik, who excelled both as skipper and player in the team's very first season.

"He has been fantastic. I've enjoyed working with him." He's a high-profile player in India, but he's incredibly humble, wanting to learn as a leader and engage with his players, which I think is really, really important. He's tried to help the youngsters, he's come in and played a different role, "he told the IPL host broadcaster.

On his experience, the South African said: "You never stop learning as a coach. Every IPL is a learning experience. That's what I enjoy." I've loved working with Ashish (Nehra). He's really strong tactically—trying to put a gameplan together on the fly is not easy.

"There are so many variables in each game, but what I've enjoyed has been the responsibility players have taken to win games for us," he said.

The team won games in tough situations, and that became its hallmark.

The one thing we've learnt with Ashish is to find guys who are versatile, and at 4, 5, and 6—we've got that.

"We all got energy out of it. We've had a great bowling attack—through the end we went a bowler strong and a batter light, but we were always confident, just to get good balance in the team," Kirsten said when asked about contributions from a variety of players over the course of the season.

Wriddhiman Saha, who did well as an opener, said the team proved its critics wrong.

"This is my fifth final and the second final I have won. Someone said our team was not good after the auctions, but we proved them wrong," he said.

"It's been a phenomenal journey. Finishing it at the back end was a special feeling, but it has been a collective effort. Everyone has stuck up their hand and performed well," said Miller.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

Related News