‘What more do you need when captain shows such confidence?’ - Rahul Tewatia all praises for skipper Hardik Pandya

Defending champions Gujarat Titans have continued their brilliance in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. After winning the title in 2022, Gujarat find themselves on top of the IPL points table with 16 points in 11 games currently. With just a one win away from another playoffs qualification, Gujarat would be keen on securing a spot as soon as possible.

One of the biggest factors in Gujarat’s success in the IPL 2023 has been the performances of Rahul Tewatia. The 29-year-old has grown into the perfect finisher for the defending champions. Recently, he came forward and credited his success to Titans’ skipper Hardik Pandya, also revealing that the latter gifted him a couple of match bats.

"This season he has given me two match bats. He brought new bats one day and asked me to check them. I told him they were ready to be used in a match, and he said: keep them. Those are the bats I've played with so far this season," Rahul Tewatia said on ESPNcricinfo.

"Last season, after seven or eight matches, he told me: 'Good to see that you're consistently finishing matches for us.' Every time we'd be in a tough situation, he would say: 'Oh, I know that Tewu will finish the job for us.' What more do you need when the captain shows such confidence in you?" he added.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will be travelling to Mumbai, where they take on the five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in the 57th game of the tournament on Friday, May 12. Mumbai have been in good form of late, and with their middle-order breathing fire at the moment, the Rohit Sharma-led side would look to maintain their winning run.