Indian Premier League season 2023 has been played for nearly a month now. As we approach the half way stage of the tournament, there has been anticipation on which team will make the final 4 of the tournament. Post the 2 month long tournament, the eyes of the fans will be back on the Indian team. The next few months will see the Indian team keep itself busy across the three formats of the game.
Paul Collingwood heaps praise on this Indian player –
Former England all rounder turned coach, Paul Collingwood has been doing well as a backroom staff in recent times. Collingwood, was the coach for the English team when the Indian team played them in a 3 match T20 and ODI series. Collingwood who captained England to their 1st T20 World Cup win in 2010, termed Hardik Pandya as an headache.
Collingwood’s utmost praise for Hardik Pandya –
Hardik Pandya was one of the star performers for India when they won both the ODI and T20 series. India had beaten the current ODI and future T20 world champions with a 2-1 margin. Collingwood while speaking to Star Sports said “He caused me the most headache when we played India. He poses a threat to any opposition because he has the ability to alter the course of a game with his play.”
Hardik Pandya’s 1st IPL title as skipper –
2022 was a year to remember for Hardik Pandya as he turned his entire career around. Pandya, leading an IPL team for the first time, led Gujarat Titans to title glory in their 1st season. Gujarat beat Rajasthan Royals in the final in front of a capacity crowd at Ahmedabad.
Chance to prove critics wrong again –
Post the IPL title win, Hardik Pandya was chosen as the captain for the 2 match T20 series against Ireland. The Indian team won the series and Pandya also led in the 1st T20 against England, which India won with ease.
Gujarat Titans are again on course to make it to the final four of the tournament after beating Lucknow by 7 runs. Yet another impressive run during the IPL will see Pandya become the favourite to become the Indian skipper in the shortest format sooner than expected.