India vs SA 1st T20: Hardik can be the future captain of Team India: Harbhajan
Spin great Harbhajan Singh believes there is a tendency to set an example with intent and positivity to make IPL 2022 title-winning captain Hardik Pandya a strong contender for the Indian captaincy in the near future. The 28-year-old all-rounder is being roped in as future India captain after leading Gujarat Titans to victory in his maiden season in the world’s most lucrative T20 league.
One of the biggest revelations in IPL 2022 was the arrival of Hardik Pandya as the captain of Gujarat Titans and the way he led the team from the front to win the coveted title is certainly commendable.
Harbhajan said in an interview, “His intent and positive captaincy is a sign that he can lead Team India in the future.”
It was the culmination of an extraordinary season, beginning with experts refusing to put their money on the franchise after experts questioned its purchase at the player auction. However, their flamboyant captain had other ideas, such as surprising everyone with his precise decision-making and field placement, taking three wickets and scoring 34 runs against Rajasthan Royals in the final, which saw a crowd of over a million. ran away. World’s largest cricket stadium in Motera.
This is ours, Gujarat @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/Qjr56FsFWs
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) May 30, 2022
As the buzz turned to Virat Kohli, with 417 Test and 269 ODI wickets, the former spinner said his slowdown is temporary and the batting maestro will make a spectacular comeback very soon. “Kohli is the kind of cricketer who always gives his best when he is in the middle. Considering the quality of cricket he has given us over the years, I am sure he will be back soon. He has always been an achiever,” said the former India off-spinner.
For the five-match T20I series against South Africa, the Indian team management is relying on a number of youngsters doing well in this year’s IPL. Harbhajan said players like Rututaj Gaikwad, Ishaan Kishan, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh have a great chance to impress at the international level ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November.
“It is a golden opportunity for these youngsters to do something special ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year. The team management has infused young blood into the team this time against South Africa, and they have all the ability to make it big ahead of the major event,” he said.
Harbhajan, who became the first Indian to take a hat-trick in a Test against Australia in 2001, said that he is looking forward to Yuzvendra Chahal’s performance in the T20 series against South Africa. Chahal’s brilliant outing in IPL-15 earned him the Purple Cap – which was reserved for the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.
“Yuzvendra Chahal is currently in the form of his life, thanks to his amazing performance in the IPL, which saw him bag 27 wickets, the most by any bowler this season. What sets Chahal apart from the rest is that he has evolved into a top spinner over the years and never compromised on line and length, which is very important for a spinner.
Harbhajan said during the interview, ‘So he will definitely play an important role in this T20 series against South Africa.
When asked about Dinesh Karthik’s incredible resurgence, Harbhajan hailed the 37-year-old veteran as a fighter whose never-give-up attitude led to his return to the Indian team. “Dinesh Karthik is the kind of cricketer he is, and at this stage of his career, he is just trying to prove to himself that he is still good enough to represent the Indian colours.
Harbhajan said, “His determination, attitude and most importantly the fact that he believes he still has a lot to offer to the Indian cricket team is certainly commendable and he has certainly By doing so, he has set an example.”