‘He is a fantastic leader,’ says VVS Laxman lauds Hardik Pandya the captain
Indian legend VVS Laxman lauds Hardik ahead of India’s opening T20i against the blackcaps.
Hardik Pandya is ready to step up as India’s skipper in a three-match T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on Friday in Wellington.
Pandya will lead the reins for India for the third time in this format, following periods as captain in T20Is against Ireland and the West Indies, and stand-in coach VVS Laxman hailed the Indian all-rounder during a press conference on the eve of the opening match.
In the words of VVS.
“He is a fabulous leader. We have seen what he has done with Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Taking leadership in the first year of the franchise in the tournament, and winning the league is not a mean achievement,” Laxman said.
“I have spent a lot of time with him since the Ireland series, he is just not only tactically sound, but he is very calm on the field and that is something which is very important at the highest level,” he added.
One hell of a year for Hardik
As a batsman and a bowler, Pandya has been in fine form this year. As a batsman, he has 564 T20I runs in 2022 with an outstanding average and strike rate of 33.17 and 146.49. Furthermore, he has taken 20 wickets in T20Is this year, demonstrating his importance to India.
Hardik Pandya in T20s this year:
Innings – 38.
Runs – 1,051.
Average – 38.72.
Strike Rate – 139.
Fifties – 7.
Wickets – 28.
