Former Australian cricket team spinner Brad Hogg believes that Gujarat Titans are actually better off without all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Under Pandya's captaincy. GT won the title in 2022 and were runners-up in 2023 when they were beaten by Chennai Super Kings in the final. However, ahead of IPL 2024, he completed a sensational trade move to Mumbai Indians. While there were concerns raised regarding GT not finding a proper replacement for the India star, Hogg said in the recent video posted on his YouTube channel, Hogg that it will not be a big loss for them.
"I don't think Hardik Pandya is that big a loss really (for GT). Yes, he is a quality all-rounder in the middle order, but they can cover it. They have got really good bowling depth there. He was batting in the top order, but I don't think he was best suited there, so Gujarat Titans are better off without him," Hogg said.
"Mumbai are better off having an Indian All-rounder batting in the lower middle order and I think that's where Hardik will bat. I think we will see Hardik back at his best with Mumbai Indians," Hogg added.
Hardik Pandya joined the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season starting from March 22 this year.
Notably, Pandya is set to captain Mumbai Indians (MI), replacing their five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy-winning skipper Rohit Sharma in the 2024 season of the cash-rich league.
In a video posted by Mumbai Indians (MI) official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Pandya was seen entering the MI dressing room and performing a pooja along with head coach Mark Boucher.
(With ANI inputs)