Gujarat Titans is the official name of Ahmedabad IPL Team; Hardik Pandya to lead

Ahmedabad, February 7: The Ahmedabad IPL team has named itself as Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2022. The name was picked on Wednesday (February 9) ahead of the IPL auction this weekend.

The Gujarat Titans will be led by India all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Earlier, the other new team in IPL 2022 Lucknow had adopted the name Super Giants.

The CVC Capitals are the owners of the Gujarat Titans team.

Former India coach and Ahmedabad franchise team mentor Gary Kirsten feels Hardik Pandya is keen to show his leadership skills on the big stage and having a young and new captain will fare well for the side.

The flamboyant India all-rounder was roped in for Rs 15 crore and is set to lead the CVC-owned Ahmedabad team in the IPL.

“I am looking forward to working with Hardik as a young and new captain. I think he will be really motivated to come in and make a plan and show what he is capable of at this level of the game as a leader,” Kirsten said on Star Sports’ 'IPL: Selection Day’.

“He’s a great player. What I have heard is that he is really keen to get into the mix and get involved. I think he understands the importance of this tournament. He is raring to go and get into the mix from a leadership perspective.

“So, I think that’s really exciting for us to have a player with such a level of skill, motivated to do well in this competition,” added Kirsten, who will also serve as the team’s batting coach.

The franchise has also signed star Afghan spinner Rashid Khan and young Indian batter Shubman Gill and Kirsten was delighted with the duo’s signing.

“I am really excited by both of them. They are both high performers.” The South African was on lavish in his praise for Gill, who he feels has “great flair and instinct.”

“Gill is a fantastic player, who, in my view, should be playing for India. He is on the verge of that and has played already. With great flair and instinct for the game, he could be a match-winner on his own.”