The defending champions, the Gujarat Titans, are currently rated first in the IPL 2023 standings with eight wins out of eleven matches.
The Hardik Pandya-captained team has once again shown excellent form, with each player rising to the occasion during crucial moments of the game.
In their inaugural season, Gujarat’s success is largely attributable to captain Pandya, who led the team to the championship. In a recent interview, the 29-year-old disclosed his approach to captaincy and compared the success strategies of the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Hardik Pandya stated that while Mumbai had the finest players, Chennai made the most of their available assets, which inspired him more. Consequently, he strives to create a wonderful team environment in which every player is free to express himself.
“There are two distinct types of accomplishment. The first is to get the best people from A to B, which I believe MI did in the few years we won, and the second is to have the best environment possible to succeed, which CSK has done, regardless of who the players are. In a conversation with former India cricketer Robin Uthappa on Jio Cinema, Pandya said, “It was more motivating for me not to get the best players, but to get the best environment and to get this.”
In their previous match against the Lucknow Super Giants, Gujarat scored 227 runs in 20 overs. GT’s openers, Wriddhiman Saha (81 runs off 43 deliveries) and Shubman Gill, added 142 runs for the first wicket off only 73 balls. Gill continued his brilliant innings after Saha’s dismissal and remained unbeaten on 94 off 51 deliveries.
GT defeated LSG for their eighth victory of the season.
In response, LSG succumbed to immense scoreboard pressure and could only reach 171/7 in the second inning, giving Gujarat a 56-run victory. Quinton de Kock (70 off 41 balls) and Kyle Mayers (48 off 32 balls) were the highest scorers for LSG, while Mohit Sharma (4/29) was Gujarat’s best bowler.
Following two consecutive victories, Gujarat will face the Mumbai Indians on Friday, May 12 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.