South African batter David Miller feels Hardik Pandya is a natural leader and people follow him. Miller has had the pleasure of playing under the leadership of Hardik Pandya in the IPL for Gujarat Titans. Pandya had led the franchise to glory in his maiden season as a leader in IPL 2022.
The all-rounder had led from the front as he had scored 487 runs and also did a decent job with the ball. Meanwhile, after savoring success as an IPL captain, Pandya was given the captaincy baton for the two-match T20I series against Ireland.
Pandya also got the opportunity to lead in the recent T20I series against New Zealand in the absence of Rohit Sharma and he led the team to a 1-0 T20I series win.
Miller said while talking to PTI, “Just playing under him in the IPL, I feel he is a natural leader, People follow him. He allows you to play the way that you feel like you can. He is very inclusive as a leader, he wants everyone to be close to each other.”
He continued: “At the same time, he is clear with discipline. He has got a lot of good attributes of a leader. In IPL he got better and better as the season progressed and I see him doing that (with the Indian team as well).”
Miller added that Pandya gives the freedom to players to express themselves on the field to get the best out of them.
“He will make the players a lot better in the mindset. 100 percent. He allows the guys to do what they want to do which is important.”
Hardik Pandya has definitely grown in confidence as a leader after leading Gujarat Titans to triumph in their maiden season. In fact, many cricket experts like Kris Srikkanth wants Pandya to lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, after winning the T20I series against New Zealand, India will face the Kiwis in the three-match ODI series. The first ODI will be played at Eden Park, Auckland on Friday.
