Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has opined that Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya ought to bat at No.5 within the batting order in IPL 2023.
Hardik was the best run-scorer for the Titans of their title success final season, scoring 487 runs in 15 matches at a strike charge of 131.26, together with 4 half-centuries.
Hardik Pandya promoted himself up the batting order reasonably than slotting within the decrease center order. The Titans skipper batted at No. 4 in 12 out of 15 innings in IPL 2022 and that allowed him to bat with a free mindset.
Nevertheless, AB de Villiers, a veteran of 184 IPL matches for Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore, desires Hardik Pandya to push right down to No. 5 and slot David Miller at No. 4 with all-rounder Rahul Tewatia at No. 6.
De Villiers stated on Jio Cinema:
“Hardik Pandya batting at No.4 in my view is a bit of excessive. In a really perfect world, I wish to have him at No.5 or 6. However I believe No.5 is the proper place for him. If it might steadiness out with the right-left (mixture) and the match state of affairs, I do not assume there’s a higher place for him.”
He added:
“You’ve got David Miller round him, Tewatia and Rashid Khan down the order at 7. I wish to see them break up the 2 lefties. Have Hardik at No.5, Miller at No.4 and Tewatia at No.6.”
The Titans retained 18 out of 25 gamers from their victorious squad final season and launched 5 gamers. The CVC Capitals-owned franchise traded Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Lockie Ferguson to Kolkata Knight Riders forward of the public sale.
De Villiers stated that GT have a balanced squad within the batting and bowling departments and are prone to cement their place on the prime of the desk.
He stated:
“Steadiness is the important thing. They’ve a match-winning and tournament-winning bowling assault. Additionally very skilled with a mixture of youth of their batting line-up. They had been no shock to me after I noticed them within the ultimate final 12 months. It won’t shock me to see them on the prime once more.”
“The opposite groups will probably be coming for them” AB de Villiers on Hardik Pandya & Co.
Gujarat Titans surprised everybody with their phenomenal success in IPL 2022 with a younger pool of expertise and some skilled campaigners.
The Hardik Pandya-led aspect gained 10 out of 14 league matches final season to prime the factors desk and defeated Rajasthan Royals twice within the playoffs, together with a seven-wicket win within the ultimate.
Talking on the strain Gujarat Titans should defend the cup in IPL 2023, de Villiers defined:
“Everytime you do effectively, particularly in a giant match like this or as a person. When you’ve back-to-back performances, there’s something you name expectation. The Gujarat Titans followers will probably be anticipating them to exit and do it once more. The opposite groups will probably be coming for them.”
Gujarat will play the IPL 2023 opener in opposition to Chennai Tremendous Kings on Friday (March 31) on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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Extra from Sportskeeda
Edited by Siddharth Dhananjay