IPL 2023: 'Hardik Pandya Is A Captain Who Keeps Looking Forward'- Mohammad Kaif

While Gujarat had emerged victorious in that epic IPL 2022 finale, Sanju Samson's Royals will be looking to settle the score this time around and add another chapter to their rivalry.

Hardik Pandya during a practice session ahead of the IPL 2023 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, at Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad, Saturday, April 15, 2023.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Two more matches of the Indian Premier League 2023 are scheduled on Sunday. While the afternoon game will see the Mumbai Indians take on the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium, the evening match will see a repeat of the IPL 2022 final with the Gujarat Titans hosting the Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While Gujarat had emerged victorious in that epic finale, Sanju Samson's Royals will be looking to settle the score this time around and add another chapter to their rivalry.

Former India cricketer Yusuf Pathan is mighty impressed with Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson and claimed the India cricketer is leading the team well.

Ready for you, neighbors. 💪💗 pic.twitter.com/Yump2clUie

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 16, 2023

Speaking on Star Sports' Cricket Live, Yusuf Pathan said, "Rajasthan Royals are looking a very strong team in IPL 2023. This team is playing excellent cricket this season as well. Their batting looks very strong. They have quality bowlers. Sanju Samson is leading the team like a great captain."

However, Gujarat Titans - who lost their previous home game against KKR - will be raring to return to the winning ways at home. The Hardik Pandya-led side eked out a narrow win against Punjab in their last game and the captain will be aiming for an encore against Rajasthan.

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝!⚡️#AavaDe | #GTvRR | #TATAIPL 2024 pic.twitter.com/Csn3eeH8V4

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 16, 2023

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif thinks Titans' defeat against KKR wouldn't be in skipper Hardik Pandya's mind as this team always looks to feed off each other's positivity.

Kaif said, "Hardik Pandya is a captain who keeps looking forward, he doesn't dwell on the past much. They lost the match and got over it. Now, they're ready for a new match. This team is very positive. This team looks to maintain its momentum because when you are playing to defend the title, you need that momentum."

Both these sides have 3 wins from 4 matches so far but with RR's net run rate (+1.588) being better better than that of GT (+0.341), it is Rajasthan who find themselves leading the points table with Gujarat at the third place.

(With Inputs From IANS)