Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills in the ongoing IPL season have caught the attention of former England cricketer Michael Vaughan, who believes that the Gujarat Titans captain is destined to become the next skipper of the Indian National Cricket Team in white-ball cricket.
Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, the Gujarat Titans have stormed into the IPL final for the second consecutive year, finishing as the top team in the points table. Their ultimate challenge awaits against the formidable Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, May 29.
Michael Vaughan is convinced that Hardik Pandya has all the qualities to lead India in the white-ball formats, as he expressed his confidence during a discussion on Cricbuzz.
“Hardik Pandya is going to captain India. I can assure you all listening to this, that he is going to captain India. I don’t know when it will happen, but he will lead India in white-ball cricket,” stated Michael Vaughan.
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Although Hardik Pandya has led the national team in only 11 T20I matches and one ODI, he has managed to guide the team to eight victories out of ten in the shorter format. Earlier this year, he made his ODI captaincy debut against Australia, and India emerged victorious.
Michael Vaughan also highlighted Hardik’s composure as a captain and praised his astute decision-making during IPL 2023. Despite concerns about his back injury, Hardik’s on-field persona has been commendable. Vaughan specifically mentioned his calmness in maneuvering the field, making bowling changes, and utilizing the resources at his disposal.
“With two outstanding spinners and Mohammed Shami, the best seamer in the tournament, by his side, Hardik has the bowlers he needs as a captain. He possesses that midas touch required to excel as a white-ball captain,” concluded Michael Vaughan.
As the IPL final approaches, all eyes will be on Hardik Pandya and his leadership prowess, which could propel him closer to fulfilling Michael Vaughan’s prediction of leading the Indian team in white-ball cricket.