GT skipper Hardik Pandya reveals who his most trusted player to rely on is ahead of IPL 2023 final

The defending champions Gujarat Titans have made it into their second consecutive final with a 62-run victory over the five-time champions Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. GT will now take on the four-time winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the title clash in Ahmedabad on May 28th.

After the match, GT skipper Hardik Pandya reflected on his team’s performance and also picked the leg spinner Rashid Khan as a player he can rely on when the team gets stuck in a tricky situation. Rashid has been a crucial player for GT in the last two years and also played a pivotal role as a lower-order batter. The 24-year-old picked 2 wickets in his four over while conceding 33 runs when GT were defending 233 runs.

“I think we’ve spoken enough about him (Rashid). He’s been the man I can rely on when the team is in a tough situation. We have to play good cricket, put in our 100%. Knockouts could go either way, but very excited for the final,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation.

‘Today’s innings was one of the finest’ – Pandya on Shubman Gill’s 100

Pandya also applauded the star batter Shubman Gill for his fiery 100 against MI. He termed hi a future ‘superstar’ in both international and franchise cricket. The 23-year-old smashed his third century of the season in the last four matches and became the highest run scorer of the season with 851 runs from 16 games. He got out after scoring 129 runs off just 60 balls as GT posted a total of 233 for the loss of 3 wickets.

“I think a lot of hard work goes behind the guys doing well. They keep practising, that reflects. I think the clarity and confidence he is carrying is amazing. (On Shubman) Today’s innings was one of the finest, he never looked rushed. It felt like someone was throwing balls and he was hitting. He will be a superstar in international and franchise cricket. I do have conversations with him, I try that people feed off my energy. Everyone takes responsibility for themselves,” the GT skipper said.