'I'd Rather Land the First Punch...', Hardik Pandya After Taking Down DC

image-lg2oabg7Hardik Pandya playing for GT (Source: BCCI/IPL)

Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans registered their second win upfront after overcoming CSK in their IPL 2023 opener. The defending champions mauled the Delhi Capitals in an away fixture, with young batter Sai Sudharsan headlining the successful run-chase for his side.

After the match, Pandya spoke highly of his young teammate and predicted a bright future in the franchise and international cricket for him.

Gujarat Titans celebrate clinical win over Delhi Capitals

Pandya talks about his captaincy approach after win over Capitals

After the match, Hardik Pandya praised young Sudharsan for his match-winning effort in a tense run-chase against the Capitals. He claimed that the 22-year-old has a bright future ahead of him and will do well in the franchise as well as in international cricket going forward.

“He (Sai Sudharsan) has been batting beautifully. You can see the fruit of his hard work. In two years he will do something big in franchise cricket and hopefully for India,”

The all-round veteran also revealed his captaincy approach, saying he backs himself and takes his own decisions on the field. Having led his side to an IPL title last year, he said:

“It is my instinct. I like to back myself. I'd rather back me and fall down than taking others' decision. I'd rather land the first punch than take the first punch. We tell the boys to enjoy. It will help to take us right decisions and someone takes us through periods when needed.”

The Gujarat Titans will now move back to their home base in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium to face their next challenge. They are scheduled to go up against the KKR on April 9, a contest that will mark as the third fixture for both sides this tournament.