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'In an ideal world, Hardik should...': AB de Villiers' groundbreaking message to Pandya hours before GT vs CSK
Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans will meet Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the 2023 Indian Premier League.
The 2023 Indian Premier League kicks off on Friday night with defending champions Gujarat Titans hosting the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya's Titans enjoyed an exceptional outing in the previous season, as they lifted the title in their maiden appearance in the league; and so, the pressure will be high on the Gujarat side to live up to the ‘defending champions’ tag this year.
Hardik had also made his comeback to professional cricket after months away from action in the IPL last year; he enjoyed a brilliant season, ending as the highest scorer for the side and also taking 8 wickets in 15 matches. The consistent run from Hardik earned him a place in the Indian limited-overs squads and earlier this year, the all-rounder also led the Indian team in the T20I series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
However, former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore great AB de Villiers has suggested Hardik to bring a change in his batting position in this year for Gujarat Titans. According to de Villiers, the all-rounder is best suited for middle-order, and not in the top-4. On many occasions, Hardik came to bat in the top-order for the Titans last year.
“Hardik Pandya batting at No.4 in my opinion is a little high. In an ideal world, I would like to have him at No.5 or 6. But I think No.5 is the perfect position for him. If it can balance out with the right-left (combination) and the match situation, I don't think there is a better position for him,” de Villiers told JioCinema.
“You have got David Miller around him, Tewatia and Rashid Khan down the order at 7. I would like to see them break up the two lefties. Have Hardik at No.5, Miller at No.4 and Tewatia at No.6,” he further said.
Ahead of the 2023 edition, the Titans further boosted their squad with the signing of Kane Williamson, Shivam Mavi, Joshua Little, Odean Smith, and KS Bharat, among others.
