"I Might Be Captain, But No Hierarchy In Gujarat Titans": Hardik Pandya

There's no hierarchy in a team of equals and that has precisely been the success mantra for Gujarat Titans, said ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has taken to captaincy like fish takes to water in new franchise's inception year. Out-of-favour and struggling with his back injury since his T20 World Cup appearance in UAE last year, Pandya's elevation to captaincy for the new franchise had raised a few eyebrows ahead of the season. But the Titans have turned heads with eight wins from nine matches, five of them coming in a row after their Saturday's six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore to virtually seal their playoff berth in their inception year.

"As a person, I always make sure that I don't like to grow just as an individual. I like to grow with my teammates or people around me. That's the reason of our success as well. Obviously, I might be the captain, but there is no hierarchy," Pandya said at the post-match media interaction at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

"Everyone is on the same path -- one for all and all for one. That's the approach which we're carrying and that is the reason I think the boys feel they are as important as the captain.

"So yeah, obviously enjoying the new opportunity, fantastic bunch of people around. With results going our way, I can't ask for a better start," the 28-year-old added.

Chasing 171, GT were reduced to 95/4 inside 13 overs as they had an uphill equation of 58 off 30 balls as Rahul Tewatia (43 not out off 25 balls) once again played the role of a finisher with David Miller (39 not out; 24b) in his company.

The duo took them across the line with three balls to spare as GT now have 16 points from nine points, almost certain of making the playoffs.

"Rahul has been