IPL 2022: I see Hardik Pandya recreating Rohit Sharma's 2013 success story, says Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out that the leadership responsibility is doing the same thing to Gujarat Titans' (GT) captain Hardik Pandya as it did to Rohit Sharma back in 2013 when he was made Mumbai Indians' (MI) skipper. The captaincy responsibility transformed Sharma into a five-time IPL-winning leader and now Gavaskar feels that same script is panning out for Hardik. In IPL 2022, Gujarat have been a force to reckon with, winning seven out of eight matches to be on top of the points table with 14 points.

For a team which looked a little shaky post the mega auction and star England opener Jason Roy pulling out due to bio-bubble fatigue, it has been a stunning run for the IPL debutants. Leading Gujarat's stunning show has been Hardik, who has made 305 runs with the bat in seven innings, averaging 61 while batting at three and four. He has also picked four wickets at an economy rate of 7.56 and has marshalled Gujarat into clicking as a cohesive unit.

"What I see with Hardik is exactly what happened to Rohit Sharma when he first got the captaincy of Mumbai Indians midway through the season (in IPL 2013). Suddenly (we saw) Rohit Sharma from playing those lovely cameos of 40s, 50s, and 60s now staying right till the end and taking responsibility. His shot-selection became much better (with responsibility of captaincy)," said Gavaskar on Cricket Live show on Star Sports.

"Similarly, you can see that happening with Hardik. His shot-selection is absolutely terrific. Of course, he's an outstanding fielder and (that was the case with) Rohit Sharma.