The Hindu (Thiruvananthapuram)
Gill takes strike as GT captain, Hardik begins lead role at MI
The Gujarat outfit has reposed faith in the 24yearold; the Mumbai side will miss the services of star batter Suryakumar; it will be interesting to see how Rohit, without the responsibility of helming the team, goes about his business
When Gujarat Titans punted on Hardik Pandya as skipper during its inaugural season in 2022, there were many raised eyebrows.
But he proved all naysayers wrong by winning the title and was soon deemed good enough to helm the national team.
On Sunday, when GT takes on Mumbai Indians in its 2024 seasonopener at the Narendra Modi Stadium here, it will hope that a second such bet, this time on Shubman Gill, proves as successful.
The 24yearold Gill’s biggest test will be to cover for the absence of Hardik and Mohammed Shami.
Creative solution
Afghan Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to do Hardik’s job, but for that, GT has to find a creative solution to fill its overseas slots.
Rashid Khan and David Miller are sureshot starters and there is Kane Williamson, Noor Ahmad, Josh Little and the ₹10 crore Aussie pacer Spencer Johnson.
Leftarm spinner R. Sai Kishore (53 wickets in the Ranji Trophy) gives GT a solid Indian option while Umesh Yadav has the arduous task of ensuring Shami is not missed.
MI’s new leader Hardik also has a headache, for he will be without star batter Suryakumar Yadav.
But Jasprit Bumrah’s return is a shot in the arm, and if Ishan Kishan can dispel the gloom that has seemingly enveloped his career at present, MI will be relieved.
There is also Tilak Varma, who between the last edition and now has made his India debut.
In Rohit Sharma, the side has its guiding light.
Of late, his batting in whiteball cricket has been thrillaminute.
A further unshackling, without captaincy responsibilities, will be a sight to behold.