Hardik Pandya has the qualities to become a successful captain: Vikram Solanki

Hardik Pandya is all set and rearing to get underway with his first-ever assignment as a captain at the Indian Premier League and has recently got the backing of Gujarat Titans’ Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki. Solanki has commented that Pandya has all the qualities needed to become a successful captain. The 28-year-old, who has only played for the Mumbai Indians in his IPL career so far, was roped in by the Titans for Rs 15 crore in the drafts before the mega auction.

Solanki feels the Indian all-rounder’s playing experience under the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should do him a world of good when he walks out to lead the debutant franchise. The Gujarat-based franchise will be playing their opening match against the other IPL first-timers Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

“We see in Hardik the qualities that can turn him into a successful and very fine captain. We have spoken a couple of times about his track record as far as winning IPL titles is concerned,” Solanki told The Telegraph.

“He has been part of our leadership group and has taken a lot of learnings from other captains like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni. He will use all that learning in developing himself as a captain and will be well backed by the support staff,” he added.

Hardik Pandya has been in the spotlight due to his recurrent injury concerns

Pandya, in the recent past, has been on the sidelines of India’s international assignments owing to his recurrent injury concerns. The cricketer, who was once India’s premier all-rounder, has struggled to contribute for the team with him rarely bowling.

There has been thus a lot of debate on Pandya’s immediate future given the T20 World Cup at the end of 2022, with the team management and selectors wanting him to regain full fitness before venturing back into the side. Solanki, however, had a positive update and stated that the star cricketer is recovering well and is putting in all the hard yards to get back to his best.

“Hardik is working extremely hard in all aspects of his game, from the rehabilitation and recovery point of view. He is conscious that he has to get up to speed with batting, bowling and fielding He is on his path to recovery and playing a full part but we have to be patient with the demands,” he said.