“Emotional homecoming,” Ravi Shastri reckons playing at Wankhede will be emotional for Hardik Pandya
Gujarat Titans humbled the five-time champions by 55 runs in their previous encounter in Ahmedabad. GT posted 207 and restricted the visitors to 152/9.
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Ravi Shastri, Hardik Pandya
Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya, who previously represented the Mumbai Indians (MI), is playing at the latter’s home ground, Wankhede Stadium, for the first time this year. While donning the dark blue jersey from 2015 to 2021, the 29-year-old achieved stardom and has even won four trophies.
MI released Pandya before the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in 2022 after which the then-newly entrant GT roped him in and made him the skipper. He led the side to their maiden title last year and even in this edition, GT are the table-toppers.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri reckoned that playing at the Wankhede will be emotional for Pandya and he would like to prove a lot by captaining his side to victory over his former team. “Hardik’s homecoming will be emotional. He will play a crucial match against the team at the ground where he rose to stardom. Hardik would like to prove a lot by leading his team to victory,” Shastri said on Star Sports’ Cricket Live.
“This match will be really interesting as it will not be easy for GT to beat MI at their home and then MI would like to equalize the defeat in Ahmedabad and take a strong step towards the playoffs,” the former India coach added.
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GT defeated MI in their previous encounter
Gujarat Titans humbled the five-time champions by 55 runs in their previous encounter in Ahmedabad. GT posted 207 and restricted the visitors to 152/9.
Like the previous year, the Hardik Pandya-led side is back on top with eight wins from 11 matches, clinching 16 points, and will gear up for another playoffs appearance. MI, on the other hand, had a not-so-impressive start to the season, but they return to winning ways to leapfrog to fourth position after their stunning six-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their previous match. They currently have 12 points and need at least two wins to qualify for the playoffs.
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Gouri Das
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