Hardik Pandya: In two years, Sai will do something great for franchise cricket and eventually for India

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya believes that Sai Sudharsan will accomplish “great things” in franchise cricket over the next two years while Sudharsan scored an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls as Titans’ second victory in as many games.

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya believes that Sai Sudharsan will accomplish “great things” in franchise cricket over the next two years. Sudharsan scored an unbeaten 62 off 48 balls as the Titans’ second victory in as many games. 

“He (Sai Sudharsan) is been batting terrifically. Credit to the support staff and him as well. The amount of batting he’s done in the last 15 days, all the result you see is all his hard work. “Going forward, if I’m not wrong, in two years, he’ll do something great for franchise cricket and eventually for India,”

said Hardik at the post-match presentation.

He said the winning mantra for him is to back his instincts.

Pandya chose to bowl and used some smart bowling adjustments to keep the home team Delhi Capitals to 162/8 before defeating them by six wickets with 11 balls remaining.

“It is my instinct. I like to back myself. I’d rather back me and fall than take others’ decisions. I’d rather land the first punch than take the first punch.” 

Shubman Gill and Pandya, two crucial wickets for GT, were lost in the chase of 163, leaving them at 54/3 in the Power play. But, 21-year-old Sai Sudharshan displayed excellent control to anchor the chase with an unbeaten effort.

Pandya further said they had a “funny” start and gave away 15-20 runs extra in the Powerplay.

“It was a little funny at the start. We didn’t know what was happening but something was happening. We gave away 15-20 runs more in the powerplay. But our bowlers did well to bounce back.”

For Delhi Capitals, this was their second loss on the trot, having lost the season opener to Lucknow Super Giants.

Warner blamed it on the conditions and said:

“It swung more than I anticipated. Losing wickets in the powerplay can be a struggle. They showed how to adapt to the situation and it is learning for us.” “We have got six more games here and anticipate the swing upfront. They bowled extremely well. We were in the game but Sai batted extremely well and David Miller took it away.” 

Strangely, Warner did not use Axar Patel while bowling and Warner said it was a match-up strategy.