Hardik Pandya’s career changed when he captained the Gujarat side to the IPL title in their maiden appearance. He served as the team’s captain and was instrumental in the Gujarat Titans’ first-ever IPL 2022 championship. There was never a consideration of releasing him before IPL 2023, hence Hardik Pandya’s IPL fees will remain at INR 15 crore for IPL 2023 as well.
Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Gujarat Titans, made a startling confession when he said that he was almost certain to sign with KL Rahul’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022. Importantly, the captain guided the team to triumph by winning the coveted title in their maiden season after being signed by Gujarat for the staggering sum of INR 15 crore.
Another team, the colorful KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants, also made their debut in 2022. There is no denying the strong bond Rahul and Hardik have, both on and off the pitch. On that point, the GT captain revealed that he was ‘eager’ to play with KL Rahul and was on the verge of joining LSG.
Hardik Pandya talks on the Gujarat Titans podcast
“I did get a call from the other franchise (Lucknow Super Giants) as well, which was a new franchise in IPL. Someone who I knew (KL Rahul) was leading the team. For me, it was very important, considering the stage at which I was, where I really wanted to play with a person who has known me,” Hardik said on the Gujarat Titans podcast.
“I always found that people who know me have a different perspective than people who have never come across or come close to me. When I got the opportunity to work with someone I know, I was very keen to go to that side,” he added.
Hardik’s decision to join Gujarat turned out to be a blessing for him as he guided Gujarat to win in their debut season, which turned out to be fairly special for the franchise as well. The former Indian bowler Ashish Nehra’s phone conversation, he continued, caused him to reconsider joining the Gujarat-based team.
“But then Ashu (Ashish Nehra) pa called me. At that time, the team also didn’t have permission to be part of the IPL. It was very haywire; things weren’t even settled. He said, ‘I’m going to be the coach. It isn’t fixed yet, but I will be coach’. I was like, ‘Ashu pa, if you weren’t there, I wouldn’t have even considered this because you’re saying I’ve always felt you are one person who has understood what I am’,” Hardik added.
Gujarat Titans are looking all set for their second IPL title. They have a well-balanced side and all players are looking in great form.
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