IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya believes 'captaincy responsibilities' has made him better cricketer

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya on Friday has expressed his happiness as he cherishes the extra responsibilities as captain brings while leading GT to their third consecutive win in the cash-rich league. While Shubman Gill’s stunning 96 off just 59 balls set the stage, it was Rahul Tewatia’s two big sixes that helped them register a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings as well.

However, Hardik has been doing excessively well as a captain of Gujarat Titans and they are the only unbeaten side in the IPL 2022 so far. They are placed second in the points table after the win. On the other hand, Hardik has been batting at No.4 for his IPL side, instead of No.5 or 6, and he has also returned to bowling his full quota of four overs as well.

“I am enjoying captaincy. As a cricketer, I always wanted responsibility in my life. Responsibilities have made me a better cricketer because you improve only when you face challenges. I have been on both sides. I have won also, lost also. I am cool and composed because I want to be neutral whether it’s a loss or a win. Our team’s motto is also the same. We win or lose, the atmosphere of the dressing room should be the same,” Hardik Pandya said in the post-match press conference. “We celebrate our losses as well, because that is also something very important as a team as it gives us more value when we win.”

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“Gill is telling everybody that he is there” – Hardik Pandya

Meanwhile, the captain was quite impressed with the youngster Shubman Gill, who scored a swashbuckling 96 and all-rounder Rahul Tewatia, who hit two sixes in the final two balls to help the Titans register a nail-biting win on the final ball as well.

“With the kind of ups and downs that happen, I have become neutral. Hats off to Tewatia. It is difficult to go out there and hit, and to do it under this pressure is great. It was Kings’ game, I have sympathy for them. Gill is telling everybody that he is there. A lot of credit goes to Sai as well for that partnership. It kept us in the game. I am going to get better with every game. I am getting tired as I’m not used to bowling four overs. But I’m getting better,” Hardik Pandya said at the post-match presentation.