EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsGujarat Titans (GT) have made excellent progress in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, winning six of their seven matches. Their only loss this season came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), who will look to complete the double when the two teams clash later tonight (April 27) at the Wankhede Stadium. Since then, both teams have won three matches in a row, while for SRH, that winning streak extends to five overall.
After losing their first two matches, SRH have done well to win five in a row, while for GT, there have not been many hiccups on the way.
GT have been well led by Hardik Pandya, who has taken on the responsibility of batting up the order and also bowling his quota of overs consistently. He has scored 295 runs at 73.75 along with a strike-rate of 136.6 batting at three and four this season. With the ball, he has chipped in with four wickets at an economy rate of 7.6.
Former England spinner Graeme Swann lauds the confidence exuded by the all-rounder.
“Hardik's great. He's calm, he's cool and is doing a really great job. Captaincy brings out the best in some people and the worst in others either performance-wise or character flaws. With Hardik, it's brought out the best in him. He's someone, who thrives on being the senior player, the leader and he exudes calmness,” Swann said on Cricket.com.
“His team are helping him out. As a leader, if your team aren't performing and winning you games, everyone will say you're rubbish. Look at Jadeja, I think he is a good captain but CSK aren't winning games.”
One of the main reasons for GT doing well has been the form of David Miller, especially against the spinners this season. He is yet to be dismissed by spinners this season and has struck at over 151 against them. Swann reckons the main reason for that is that he is stuck to one method against them.
“He's just a lot more aware. Bad players of spin bowling are normally guys who after two or three balls, they'll try one thing and if it doesn't work go to a different method. What I think he's done this year is stick to one method,” the former England spinner said.
“He's very defensive, plays with a straight bat, waits for the ball to be very full or outside off stump, then he hits it rather than block one, sweep one, try and use your feet to on. Maybe that's it. That's the case with everyone. If you want to be a better player of spin, pick your way of playing and stick to it like glue.”
Despite low scores in the last few innings, Swann has backed Shubman Gill to come good.
“There's an old saying, 'If you're not scoring runs, you might as well get out early.' He looked so good at the start of the tournament. Maybe big scores early on in the tournament just pushed... You know that line from Top Gun 'Your ego is writing cheques your body can't cash'. He's become convinced your own abilities that outstrip what your capable of,” Swann said.
“Shubman Gill is a brilliant player. I'm sure he'll get it back. He'll get one out of the middle of the bat, get the first 15-20 and he'll be off. The Shubman Gill at the start of the tournament to the one now, they are a different player altogether.”
Shifting focus to SRH, Swann reckons he is finally living up to the potential this season that many knew he had.
“He's been brilliant. I spoke to Brian Lara the other day and he said, 'Tripathi, how good is he?' When Lara is you coach and he says check this dude out, you've got to look closer. He's been amazing to watch. We've always known his talent and has the ability to be the best three batsmen in the IPL and he's doing that this year. It's great to watch,” Swann explained.
When it comes to the collective bowling attack, Swann reckons SRH have the upper hand even though GT have the best attack on paper.
“On the way to the ground, I'm genuinely excited to watch SRH bowl. Not only have they got 8 foot 15 Jansen bowling good pace left-arm, but Umran Malik, he has brought to the IPL something that we have not seen for a few years,” Swann, who has over 400 international wickets said.
“A fresh fast bowler, out-and-out pace. Dale Steyn had said to him, 'I don't want you to worry about line and length, get the seam up, bowl as quick as you can.
“That's your strongest suit.' But he's got good control, he's got good areas and he is rapid. I love that. For me to say that straight away, Sunrisers over Gujarat, shows how good they are. Gujarat's bowling has been phenomenal. On paper, they are the best bowling unit.”
