"Captain King Pandya!" - Fans hail Hardik Pandya as GT maintain 100 percent win record in IPL 2022 after beating DC

Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans (GT) have continued their sensational start to the IPL 2022 season by winning their second game against the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 14 runs. The 28-year-old was proactive with his captaincy and also made an all-round impact on the game.

A fantastic knock of 84 from Shubman Gill set up a competitive total of 171/4 in GT's 20 overs. With the trend being this season that teams who chase mostly win, DC would have backed themselves to get to the target.

However, some fine work by the GT bowlers coupled with brilliant captaincy from Hardik Pandya meant that DC fell 14 runs short. After the kind of auction that GT had, not many had given them a chance to do well in their debut IPL season.

However, Hardik Pandya is enjoying a sensational comeback to competitive cricket and is contributing with bat and ball as well as captain. Fans on Twitter were thrilled to see this version of the 28-year-old and believe it is a great sign for the Indian team. Here are some of the reactions:

---

Hardik Pandya's smart bowling changes did the trick against DC

DC didn't begin well once again with the bat, as they were reeling at 34/3 inside the powerplay. Lockie Ferguson and Hardik Pandya asked tough questions to the batters with their accurate line and length.

DC skipper Rishabh Pant came to the crease and began to counter-attack in his unique fashion. He found an able partner in Lalit Yadav and the duo stabilized DC's run-chase.

Yadav was unfortunately run out and that brought the dangerous Rovman Powell to the crease. Pandya took a punt by bowling Rahul Tewatia, but the all-rounder leaked runs and it looked like DC were on their way to a comfortable win.

Normally, most captains would have preserved their wicket-taking bowler for the backend of the innings. However, understanding that a wicket was crucial at that stage, Pandya brought Lockie Ferguson back into the attack.

The move worked as Ferguson removed the dangerous Pant and also the hero of DC's game, Axar Patel. Pandya once again went for the kill and completed the quota of Rashid Khan.

Rashid picked up the important wicket of Shardul Thakur and that pegged back DC big time. Powell was DC’s last hope, but Pandya gave the ball to Mohammed Shami and the speedster struck, sending back the dangerous West Indies star.

Pandya's attacking approach and fearless bowling changes showed that although he is inexperienced as a captain, he has a great cricketing mind.