After 73 entertaining contests, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has paved the way for two teams - Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans - to fight for the prestigious crown. Led by their 'messiah' MS Dhoni, the four-time champions will cross swords against Hardik Pandya's men, who are the defending champions and are vying to secure consecutive titles. The box office match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedad on Mat 28 (Sunday).
If Hardik succeeds in leading the Titans to another IPL glory, he will join Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the only captain to win back-to-back titles. The all-rounder led his franchise to a title triumph in their maiden IPL season last year and has since grown in stature as a captain.
Former England captain and star batter, Michael Vaughan has been thoroughly impressed with Hardik's leadership skill. Ahead of IPL 2023 final, the cricketer-turned-pundit lauded Hardik and affirmed that the GT skipper will lead Team India in white-ball cricket.
"Hardik Pandya is going to captain India. I can convince all of you listening to this, that he is going to captain India. I don't know when it is going to be. He will captain India in white-ball cricket," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
"He has got the calmness, he has got the game. I'm worried about his injury to his back, but he has just got that persona right in the middle. You can see his body language. The way he maneuvers his field calmly. The way he makes his bowling changes. Yes, he has got two outstanding spinners and Mohammed Shami, who has been the best seamer in the tournament. You need bowlers as a captain.
"He has got that midas touch you need to be an outstanding white-ball captain," the former England captain added.
It is important to note that Hardik has already captained India in T20Is. The all-rounder has led India in 11 matches in the shortest format of the game. The Men in Blue have won eight and lost two matches under Hardik's captaincy.
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