IPL 2022 | 'This is the Shubman we all want to see' - Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans successfully registered a win by 14 runs against Delhi Capitals. Put into bat; opener Shubman Gill got off to a flying start. He smashed a quickfire 84 off 46 with 6 fours and 4 sixes and was undoubtedly the star with the bat in hand.

His knock helped Gujarat Titans post a competitive 171 on the board.

While chasing, Delhi got off to a shaky start as they lost their three key wickets within the power-play, courtesy of Lockie Ferguson's stunning spell. Later, Rishabh Pant tried his best with a knock of 43, but it was not enough as Ferguson's 4/28 dismantled their batting order, and they could only score 157 runs.

After the win, Hardik Pandya shared his happiness. He praised Ferguson and Shubman Gill for their stunning shows with the ball and the bat.

He said: "Really happy with the way boys are coming out and contributing. The kind of attack we have, we always felt that we could make a score that's 10 under-par look like 25 above. I thought there were periods were Delhi were ahead, but then that Lockie over really changed things for us. We were about 10-15 short. But with the bowling we have, I'm confident of making it up in the field. 

We were one bowler short with Aaron's injury, had to take it as deep as possible, and it worked for us. Till Rishabh was there, the game was in the balance, or maybe Delhi was ahead, and that over from Lockie really turned it for us. This is the Shubman we all want to see, and I hope all the other batters can take confidence from him.

Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson, who won the Player of the Match, said: "Was one of those nights and with the kind of bowling partners I have, makes things very easy for me. It's great (to have a potent bowling unit) and helps spread calmness in the group. The pressure was coming from both ends with the ball, and it worked for us. I think it (bowling extra fast) is more instinctive. 

There was a lot of bounce on the surface, and I was looking to bang away on that hard length. But, instead, some gripped, and it worked for me with Rishabh's wicket. So, it was a good all-around performance from the bowlers. Hardik always gives us the confidence to play the game we want to play, and it's nice to have a captain who trusts your skills."

However, after the defeat, Delhi captain Rishabh Pant admitted that they could do well with the bat. But, he stated that they will bounce back soon as well.

He said: "I think that total was not so big according to the wicket. We could have batted well, especially in the middle overs. We lost three wickets in the powerplay and three in the middle. I think every match will be hard after losing so many wickets. Depending on the weather conditions (we will decide to bat or bowl first); but we are not thinking about that now, and we will see when we come back to Pune. 

He (Ponting) has been fantastic since day one. When you lose, you feel heartbroken, but if you keep improving and have a better environment, people can perform in the next match."