IPL 2022: Wanted to be flag-bearer of how my team would function, says Hardik Pandya

Pandya was quietly caressing the IPL trophy flap as one of the BCCI employees was inscribing the name of new champions 'Gujarat Titans'. It seemed as if an indulgent father was tousling his son's hair with love. That trophy was indeed Pandya's labour of love. For all the hard work put in after some years of circumspection and uncertainties. We all saw it but he dealt with it.

Read AlsoIPL 2022: Captain Hardik Pandya guides Gujarat Titans to title triumph in maiden season

In the end, with their captain Hardik Pandya leading the charge with both the bat and ball, nothing was going to stop Gujarat Titans from holding the IPL trophy this year. While Gill played the anchor’s role in the chase to perfection, the Titans owed their win in the summit clash to Pandya, who

His wife Natasha hugged him. It was an act of assurance -- that his support system is firmly behind him, earlier in 'thin' and now in 'thick'. "I live and feed on love, which I keep getting from my family," said the man, who won it for the Titans in first half itself with the wickets of Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer. The 34 runs in a low-scoring chase was just the cherry on top. On May 29, 2022, India just got another genuine white-ball captaincy option in Pandya. His MS Dhoni style of calm leadership, has blind-sided even the best of cricket analysts in the country, who wouldn't have remotely considered him of being a left-field choice in their wildest of dreams even three months back.

1/14In Pics, IPL 2022 Final: Pandya stars as Gujarat win IPL titleShow Captions<p>Hardik Pandya starred with bat and ball as Gujarat Titans clinched the IPL title in their debut season with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in front of a record crowd of