If you're leading team in IPL, You can lead Team India: Sanjay Manjrekar on Hardik Pandya

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 saw the new entrants Gujarat Titans (GT) and the inaugural season champions Rajasthan Royals (RR) sailing into the finals. However, one who stood apart with his incredible leadership skills in the season is Gujarat Titans' skipper Hardik Pandya.

The Indian all-rounder, who faced fans' wrath and criticism after under par performance in the T20 World Cup last year, was considered the least favourite captain to lift the IPL trophy this year, especially after the kind of auction they have had. 

However, the newbie Gujarat franchise skipper took no time to prove naysayers wrong with a stellar show with the bat and the way he led his team in his maiden IPL season as a captain. 

Captaining a new franchise, Hardik has impressed the cricket fraternity with his leadership skills as his debutant side became the first team to qualify for the playoffs and reached the finals. 

Meanwhile, the former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praises on the Titans' captain Hardik Pandya for his incredible leadership in IPL 2022. He went on to add that the 28-year old has got the potential to lead team India in future. 

"Hardik Pandya surprised us at how comfortable he looked in a leadership role captaining Gujarat Titans," Manjrekar said on CricChat.

"If you are leading a team in the IPL, you can lead Team India," Manjrekar added. 

The Stylish India all-rounder has also impressed with his performances in the season as he is the leading run-scorer for the team, amassing 453 runs in 14 innings, averaging 45.30 and at a strike rate of 132.84. He also bagged five wickets in 9 innings. 

Hardik Pandya-led troops will be up against Rajasthan Royals in the final of the IPL 2022 on Sunday (May 29) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 

After being outplayed by debutants Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 of the tournament, former champions Rajasthan Royals have made a sound comeback against Royal Challengers Bangalore to secure their spot in the finals. 

Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans beat the inaugural season champions when both teams last met each other in the IPL 2022. We can expect another thrilling encounter between them with the month of hard work at stake.