Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans qualified for their second IPL final in as many seasons on Friday with a 62-run win over Mumbai Indians. GT is the first team in IPL to reach two finals in their first two seasons. Gavaskar also did not forget to credit GT coach and former India cricketer Ashish Nehra for his contributions to the team’s rise.

Pandya’s Gujarat will face MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in the final on 28 May

After Gujarat’s historic feat, Sunil Gavaskar praised captain Hardik Pandya for leading his team to the IPL 2023 final and said that the all-rounder’s ability to bring calmness to his side is reminiscent of MS Dhoni.

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Hardik has been very open about his admiration

“He (Hardik) has been very open about his admiration and affection for MSD, just like all those who have followed MSD’s career. When they go out to the toss, they will be very friendly and smiling. But when it comes to the match, it will be a completely different atmosphere. It’s a very good opportunity from Hardik Pandya to show how quickly he has learned,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Nehra has got one of the sharpest cricketing brains,” Gavaskar

Gavaskar also did not forget to credit GT coach and former India cricketer Ashish Nehra for his contributions to the team’s rise.

“I would not want to miss Ashish Nehra. He is one person, when he is in the changing room or the comm box, you cannot but be laughing. He makes life look so easy and he has got one of the sharpest cricketing brains,” Gavaskar added.

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CSK will be aware that they have a “real fight’ on their hands

Talking about the final, the former India captain said that CSK will be aware that they have a “real fight’ on their hands given how GT dominated the league phase.

GT has always been a top-class team

“They (GT) have always been a top-class team. Look at the way they have topped the table. They finished with 20 points, 3 more than Chennai Super Kings. It tells you how Gujarat Titans dominated in the league stages. It should not be a surprise that they reached the final. They have played champions cricket.

“And that’s why there are in the final. CSK know that they have a real, real fight in their hands.”