IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya has been very impressive as captain – Graeme Swann

Former England spinner Graeme Swann has been impressed by Hardik Pandya’s leadership in the ongoing IPL 2022. Pandya, who is making a comeback to action after a long hiatus, has been leading Gujarat Titans from the front in the tournament.

The new entrant has won their opening two matches and a lot of credit goes to their skipper.

Hardik has taken the onus of batting in the middle order and he is playing with all the responsibility. The right-hander scored an uncharacteristic knock of 31 runs off 27 balls against Delhi Capitals at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Saturday as GT won by 14 runs to register their second win.

Furthermore, Pandya opened the bowling with Mohammed Shami and struck in his first over as he dismissed Tim Seifert. The all-rounder conceded only 22 runs in his quota of four overs to bowl an economical spell. Pandya was consistently bowling close to 140 km/h and he was also right on the money with his line and length.

Thus, Pandya has been leading the team from the front and the results are palpable on the field.

“He is like a kid who has been made captain of a U-15 team. Boy! Isn’t he doing it well, I was very, very impressed with his captaincy. He has got an aura and personality, he owns himself to leading other men. He looks calm, he always looks calculated,” Swann told Star Sports.

“His bowling itself is good. We are never allowed to ask about his bowling and he has put all the talks about his fitness to rest. He has worked hard on his fitness, he has gotten back to 100 percent. He was bowling quick.

“He was very, very impressive. He is one of the main reasons why Gujarat has put 2 wins already.”

Gujarat Titans have ticked the right boxes in their opening two matches and a lot of credit goes to Hardik Pandya as he has led with aplomb. Pandya will look to continue the good show and he has done a fine job in getting the best out of his players.

Hardik Pandya-led will next face Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.