‘He is a great leader’ – Shivam Mavi applauds star India all-rounder ahead of Sri Lanka series

India Under 19 star Shivam Mavi praised Hardik Pandya and opined that the star all-rounder supports each and every player as a skipper. This week, Mavi received his maiden call-up to the Indian team after being selected for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Since Rohit Sharma is yet to fully recuperate from his thumb injury, Hardik has been designated the team’s captain.

After being selected by the defending champions for INR 6 crore in the Indian T20 League mini-auction, Mavi is eager to impress the Gujarat franchise by giving Hardik an audition.

Hardik bhai is very shrewd and a master tactician: Shivam Mavi

The 24-year-old man is quite certain that he won’t disappoint Hardik.

“Hardik Pandya supports every player. He is a great leader. It is very difficult to be the Indian T20 League champions in the first outing but he managed to do it. He led Gujarat Titans from the front and became champions. He is a calm leader but took some bold decisions,” the 24-year-old told in an exclusive interview.

The young bowler thinks Hardik is a tactical genius who frequently makes the bold decision to act instinctively on the field, and he is hoping to receive a shot in the starting lineup for the Sri Lanka series.

“As a captain, Hardik bhai is very shrewd and a master tactician. He knows exactly whom to bowl when and whom to promote in the batting order. I know it is not going to be easy for me but I am just hoping to get a game, perform there and be a regular for India.”

Despite a bad performance in the last edition of the Indian T20 League, Mavi was positive that he would get a solid deal from his preferred team at the mini-auction.

“Yes, I was expecting something around Rs 5 and 6 crore. It is a result of my consistent performance. I always wanted to be in Gujarat franchise because I have heard that their management is very good. The Gujarat franchise has Hardik bhai and (Ashish) Nehra bhai, the two best thinkers of the game,” he said.