The Ahmedabad franchise's batting coach and team mentor, Gary Kirsten has said that he is looking forward to working with all-rounder Hardik Pandya who was roped in as the captain of the side earlier.
"I am looking forward to working with Hardik as a young and new captain," said Kirsten to Star Sports show 'IPL: SELECTION DAY' on Saturday (January 22). "I think he will be really motivated to come in and make a plan and show what he is capable of at this level of the game as a leader. He's a great player. What I have heard is that he is really keen to get into the mix and get involved. I think he understands the importance of this tournament. What I have heard is that he is raring to go and get into the mix from a leadership perspective. So, I think that's really exciting for us to have a player with such a level of skill, motivated to do well in this competition."
Kirsten has joined the staff that comprises Ashish Nehra and Vikram Solanki. While Nehra is the head coach of the franchise, Solanki will take up the job of the Director of Cricket. The trio has earlier worked together for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"To be working alongside Ashish Nehra and Vikram Solanki, who I have worked with before. I think we are all very excited about the opportunity. My role, designation is team mentor and batting coach, so I am going to have my hands full with handling a lot of work at ground level, but essentially, just to be assisting players in preparing them to be the best versions of themselves and the team that they are going to play," he said.
Pandya has been roped in by the franchise for INR 15 Cr while the two other signings include Rashid Khan (INR 15 Cr) and youngster Shubman Gill (INR 8 Cr) respectively.