Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya leaving the field during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings on March 31, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. (| Photo Credit: AP)
Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya says the Indian Premier League’s new ‘Impact Player’ rule makes his job difficult as there are many options to choose from.
For the first time in IPL history, this season teams will be allowed to make a tactical substitution, with an impact player coming in as needed to bat or bowl.
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Under Pandya’s leadership, Gujarat Five-wicket win over four-time champions Chennai Super Kings In the opening match of the season in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Chennai set Gujarat a target of 179 after Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a sensational 92, but his heroics went in vain as Shubman Gill’s 63, along with late cameos by Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia, handed the defending champions victory. helped in
Chennai’s Tushar Deshpande became the first impact player to come in for Ambati Rayudu in his defence, while Gujarat’s Sai Sudarshan replaced New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and batted at No.4. After injuring his knee while fielding.
Pandya said, ‘To be honest, this law of effect makes my job very difficult because when you have a lot of options you have to choose the right option and I think because of this someone will bowl less. ‘
“I just had to choose and kind of back [my instinct]Where I thought going the tough length was the plan for me, and it worked, so yes, a few bowlers came late but they worked for us.
Pandya also praised Afghanistan’s Rashid, who was adjudged player of the match for taking two wickets and hitting a four and a six in an unbeaten 10-run knock that played a key role in Gujarat’s victory.
Hardik said, “When you have Rashid Khan in your team, it gives you a sigh of relief.” “He can come and bowl and get you wickets and at the end of the day if you need some runs he will come and smack it and make our job easier.”
Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said The team should have set a bigger target,
Dhoni said, ‘It would have been better if there were 15-20 more runs. We all know there will be some dew. “Instead of trying to muddle the ball, we could have batted properly in the middle overs.”