The Mumbai Indians had bought a young and unproven Hardik Pandya in 2015 for INR 10 lacs. Pandya immediately made an impression that season. He was a work in progress yet took rapid strides. Sachin Tendulkar, the mentor of Mumbai Indians had predicted that Pandya will make his India debut in 18 months. Here is Who is The Captain Of Ahmedabad In IPL 2022?
Who is The Captain Of Ahmedabad In IPL 2022
The rise and roar of Hardik Pandya:
Pandya went on to play for India in just 6 months. He played a crucial role in India’s limited-overs plans. After a middling IPL 2016, Pandya roared back in 2017. He was India’s Most Valuable Player in Champions Trophy 2017. There was no stopping the junior Pandya. Mumbai Indians showed huge faith in Hardik. They retained him for INR 11 crores ahead of IPL 2018 mega auctions. Pandya was one of the 3 players that Mumbai retained.
The evolution as a match-winner:
Hardik Pandya’s all-around abilities proved vital to India’s Test plans. He played the role of India’s fourth seamer with aplomb in South Africa and England. His knock in Cape Town kept India in the game when everyone around him failed. Pandya’s fifer at Leeds help India win their only Test on the tour. He was arguably as important as a Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the side.
The low phase:
He found himself in midst of an avoidable controversy when he appeared on a talk show. Pandya was dropped from the side citing disciplinary reasons. But the moment he was dropped, the team realised his worth. They couldn’t do away with him. Pandya had become indispensable to the side. This pattern sadly remains true to this day. Players who have played in his absence end up making Pandya look better.
Pandya meets Indian cricket at its crossroads:
Indian cricket has been jolted with a few recent developments. Decisions taken off-field have certainly affected the team’s on-field performance. Virat Kohli’s abrupt halt from captaincy has thrown Indian cricket off. Rohit Sharma, the leader-in-waiting has been lying low to injuries. The team has clearly lacked a leader who can inspire.
KL Rahul’s initial captaincy abilities have left a lot to be desired. Rishabh Pant, another contender seems way too young to don the role. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin continue to remain dark horses. Indian cricket for all its riches lack a quality young leader. This is where the appointment of Hardik Pandya as Ahmedabad’s captain adds a fresh new chapter.
Has Ahmedabad already fired a salvo for selectors?
The likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Sanju Samson have the experience of leading IPL sides. None of them though have left a dazzling impression as yet. They have been decent to adequate at best. Hardik being appointed leader of a new Ahmedabad team adds intrigue and interest in equal measure. If he can inspire his troops in their maiden season to win the IPL, Pandya might just end up being the disruptor that Indian cricket currently needs.
India hasn’t had an allrounder leading them since the glory days of Kapil Dev. Is Pandya’s captaincy stint in the IPL a hint in that direction? This thought is a bit far-fetched at this moment. But stranger things have happened in Indian cricket.
