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Indian star Mohammed Shami has shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya's departure from Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite delivering impressive performances for the Gujarat-based team in two consecutive seasons, the all-rounder has decided to leave the franchise and make a return to his former IPL team, Mumbai Indians (MI). Pandya was traded to MI before the auctions, and subsequently, he was appointed as the captain, replacing Rohit Sharma.
Before leaving GT, Pandya served as the team captain in both IPL seasons they have participated in so far. In 2022, the 30-year-old led the squad to victory in the IPL, making the GT the second team, after Rajasthan Royals (RR), to secure the title in their maiden season. Similarly, in 2023, GT put up a strong performance under the leadership of Pandya, reaching the final before ultimately losing to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Mohammed Shami on Hardik Pandya’s exit:
Pandya demonstrated exceptional leadership by leading the team from the forefront. In 2022, he emerged as the top run-scorer for his team, amassing 487 runs and also contributing with eight wickets. The following year, in 2023, he continued to make significant contributions, scoring 346 runs and taking three wickets. While Pandya's departure is expected to be a significant setback for the GT, Shami holds a different perspective.
When a journalist questioned the fast bowler about the possible impact of Pandya's departure on the team, he delivered an intriguing response. In reply, Shami said: “Kisi ke jane se kisi ko fark nahi padta. (The departure of someone doesn’t make a difference to someone else).”
Following Pandya's departure, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the captain of the GT. This young player has not yet captained an IPL team and is eager to make an immediate impact in his new role. The responsibility also falls on Shami to contribute significantly to the team's success.
The fast bowler's stellar performances have been a key factor in the franchise's impressive showings in the past two editions of the competition. In IPL 2022, he secured 20 wickets, followed by an even more remarkable performance in 2023, where he claimed 28 wickets.
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