Hardik Pandya supports every player, a great leader: Shivam Mavi

Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to first-ever IPL title

Riding on the back of a successful domestic limited-overs season, Uttar Pradesh pacer Shivam Mavi earned his maiden T20I call-up for India for their upcoming three-match home series against Sri Lanka. 

Mavi, who was purchased by the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2023 mini-auction earlier this month, heaped praise on India's stand-in T20I skipper Hardik Pandya.

The former Under-19 World Cup-winning player picked up 10 and 14 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, respectively. 

Mavi, who was the highest-bid uncapped player in the mini-auction going for INR 6 Crore, looked forward to working with former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra at the Titans.

Speaking to PTI, Mavi said that Pandya is a great leader and knows how to extract performance from his players.  

"Hardik Pandya supports every player. He is a great leader. It is very difficult to be the IPL champions in the first outing but he managed to do it. He led Gujarat Titans from the front and became champions. He is a calm leader but took some bold decisions.

"As a captain Hardik bhai is very shrewd and a master tactician. He knows exactly whom to bowl when and whom to promote in the batting order," Mavi mentioned.

The former Kolkata Knight Riders bowler has featured in 32 IPL matches and claimed 30 wickets. 

Now, Mavi will be action for India, when the hosts take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I on January 3.

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