Vijay Shankar Is More Fitter, Confident: GT Skipper Hardik Pandya After Win vs KKR

Following his side's seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match, Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya lauded all-rounder Vijay Shankar for his match-winning knock, saying that he is "more fitter, more confident" and the hard work put by him is immense. An explosive half-century by Vijay Shankar and classy knocks from Shubman Gill and David Miller powered Gujarat Titans (GT) to a seven-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.

"(On bowling spells by Noor and Little) They got us back in the game and they kept us in the hunt. The way Gurbaz batted - he was hitting good balls with some conviction and clarity. The way they (Noor and Little) bowled was great. I would have taken 180 on that wicket on any given day. In a group, we know that to win the game, irrespective of the situation, we have to play good cricket. That humbleness is helping us win games of cricket," said Hardik in a post-match presentation.

They are respecting the situation, we want to face it and it is just about playing good cricket and being smart. (On Vijay Shankar) He is a fitter Vijay Shankar, more confident and the amount of hard work he has put in is terrific. His hits changed the game and moving forward, we can expect more of the same. I always felt that good people get to good places and he is certainly one of those," he added.

Vijay has made a great impact as a batter in IPL 2023. In six matches, he has scored 199 runs at an average of 49.75. He has scored two half-centuries, with best score of 63*. His runs have come at a strike rate of over 165.

Put to bat first by GT, KKR put up a competitive total of 179/7 in