Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has backed Vijay Shankar to fill in the big shoes of former Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya in the upcoming Indian Premier League. Gavaskar reckons Shankar would have learned a lot while playing under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.
Pandya returned to his former franchise Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024 in an all-cash trade deal. On the other hand, Vijay Shankar scored 304 runs in 10 innings of the previous season at an average of 37.63 and a strike rate of 160.10.
The right-hander scored three fifties and played a key role in taking Gujarat Titans to the tournament’s final. In 65 IPL matches, Shankar has scored 1032 runs in the tournament at an average of 26.46 and a strike rate of 131.13.
After his impressive performances in IPL 2023, Shankar was retained by Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2024 mini-auction.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said, “Vijay Shankar would have learned so much from Hardik Pandya. How Hardik Pandya adapted to a particular situation, how he bowled in certain situations, if he has learned from that, he can do pretty much what Hardik Pandya could do.”
“Not maybe have the same kind of impact but even if he has about 80 or 90% of the impact and the game-changing abilities that Hardik Pandya had, he would have done wonderfully for his team,” Gavaskar stated.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans also retained Mohammed Shami, who Gavaskar believes has been spectacular. Shami ended the ODI World Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps in seven matches.
“At their age, bowling only four fours, and that too not in one spell, is a huge plus. Mohammed Shami has been nothing short of spectacular in white-ball cricket in the last year and a half. I expect him to bowl the same way, get the wickets at the top and towards the end by bowling those yorkers spot on.”
GT has a potent fast bowling unit with bowlers like Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, and Spencer Johnson, who will bring a left-arm angle to the crease.
“Umesh Yadav too, with the experience that he has, will be able to get some early wickets, and Mohit Sharma was again a revelation. Spencer Johnson will bring the left-handed variety to the bowling attack. So clearly, the Gujarat Titans have done a lot of homework in getting their squad together,” Gavaskar added.
IPL 2024 begins on March 22.
