My favourite cricketer was Wasim Jaffer, loved watching him bat: Hardik Pandya

Having led Gujarat Titans (GT) to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in their very first year, Hardik Pandya has said that he was a big fan of former India batter Wasim Jaffer's batting. He further adds that he used to look to copy the Mumbai giant.

In his 31 Tests for India between 2000 and 2008, Jaffer scored 1,944 runs at 34.10, which included five centuries and 11 fifties.

"Like everyone, I had favourite cricketers. I liked Jacques Kallis, Virat, Sachin sir. There are so many greats that you can't pick," Hardik said on the SG podcast. 

"My favourite cricketer was actually Wasim Jaffer. I used to love watching him bat. Someone I always placed him above other legends. Somehow, I used to copy his batting, but I was never able to get his class."

Hardik also opened up about his relationship while growing up with Krunal Pandya, saying that there was no rivalry between them given that they were completely different cricketers.

For the first time this season, the Pandya brothers played in different IPL teams. While Hardik led GT, Krunal represented another new franchise Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who were knocked out in the Eliminator.

"Krunal and I are each other's backbone. We talk cricket, life and a lot of things. If you would have asked me six years before that both you brothers would play for India together, I would take it," Hardik said. 

"Krunal and I were completely different cricketers. He was a left-handed batter who could bowl while I used to bowl leg-spin and bat right-handed. 

"He used to bat at 4-5 and I used to bat at No. 3. We never had a rivalry because our roles were always different. I used to play Under-16, he played Under-19. But we were there for each other so make sure we improve in all departments." 

Named in the T20I squad to face South Africa at home, Hardik will hope to kick start his international career after it had faded away due to recurrent injuries. The team will hope that he is able to bowl his quota of four overs on a regular basis along with playing the finisher's role down the order.