Got a call from LSG, was keen to play with KL Rahul: Hardik Pandya

Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya made a stunning revelation as he stated that he was close to joining KL Rahul’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022. Notably, the skipper was signed by Gujarat for a humongous price tag of INR 15 crore and led the side to glory by winning the coveted title in their debut season.

In 2022, another franchise, Lucknow Super Giants too, made their debut, which was led by flamboyant batter KL Rahul. It is no secret that Rahul and Hardik share a close bond, both on and off the field. On that note, the GT skipper shared that he was close to joining LSG and was ‘keen’ on playing with KL Rahul.

"I did get a call from the other franchise (Lucknow Super Giants) as well, which was a new franchise in IPL. Someone who I knew (KL Rahul) was leading the team. For me, it was very important, considering the stage at which I was, where I really wanted to play with a person who has known me," Hardik said on the Gujarat Titans podcast.

"I always found that people who know me have a different perspective than people who have never come across or come close to me. When I got the opportunity to work with someone I know, I was very keen to go to that side,” he added.

Hardik shares Ashish Nehra’s call that made him join GT

Hardik’s decision to join Gujarat turned out to be a boon for him, considering that he led the side to glory in the debut season, which became quite special for the franchise too. He further shared that it was former India pacer Ashish Nehra’s phone call that would change his decision to join the Gujarat-based franchise.

"But then Ashu (Ashish Nehra) pa called me. At that time, the team also didn't have permission to be part of the IPL. It was very haywire; things weren't even settled. He said, 'I'm going to be the coach. It isn't fixed yet, but I will be coach'. I was like, 'Ashu pa, if you weren't there, I wouldn't have even considered this because you're saying I've always felt you are one person who has understood what I am’," Hardik added.