Six new captains will set the stage in IPL 2024, who will win the coin, Pandya or Gill?
Only a few hours are left for the start of IPL 2024 and the passion for it is increasing with every passing moment.
Teams in colorful clothes will also come with new combinations this time.
Especially under the captaincy, not one or two but six teams will take the field this time with new leaders.
The fans of these teams have full hope that the new captain will take their team to the top and win this year’s glittering trophy.
But the path to IPL 2024 is not going to be that easy for them.
Hardik Pandya's litmus test
This time, the captain who will be most closely watched is Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians.
Pandya successfully captained Gujarat in the last two seasons. In the first attempt itself, they won the trophy and in the second attempt, the team lost to Chennai Super Kings in the finals.
Pandya not only captained brilliantly but also played big innings with the bat.
In such a situation, where everyone felt that Hardik would lead Gujarat’s third challenge, Mumbai Indians surprised everyone by making Hardik the new captain of their team.
While lakhs of fans of Hitman felt bad about snatching the throne from the most successful captain of IPL, Rohit Sharma, Hardik also said that Rohit Sharma’s hand will always be on his shoulders and whatever decision he takes as captain, Rohit will fully support him.
Although it can be expected from Rohit that he will leave no stone unturned to get Mumbai another trophy, but if the team is unable to do so then it is natural to point fingers at the new captain.
Hardik Pandya has once again joined his old team but there is no doubt that he will face the toughest challenge of his IPL career this time.
Eyes will be on Shubman Gill
When Gujarat won the trophy for the first time, Shubman Gill had a big contribution in it.
In that 2022 IPL season, Gill scored 483 runs in 16 innings and was among the top 5 batsmen in terms of runs.
After that, in 2023, Gill scored a lot of runs and with the maximum of 890 runs, he became the MVP of the last season i.e. Most Valuable Player.
Seeing this talent of his, Gill has been given the command of Gujarat Titans this time.
This time, Gill will have the dual responsibility of giving the team a great start as well as captaincy.
So far, in 91 IPL matches, he has scored 2790 runs at a strike rate of 134, which includes 3 centuries and 8 half-centuries.
He has proved his worth as a batsman but it remains to be seen how he will perform as a captain.
Like Mumbai, Gujarat team too will not accept any position below the title, in such a situation, it will be interesting to see how Gill handles the pressure of captaincy.
Rishabh Pant's return
Delhi’s explosive batsman and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is returning after a long leave.
Pant was away from the game due to a dangerous car accident and he also missed the last IPL.
Pant had said in a recent interview that after that fatal accident, at one time he was afraid that he might lose his leg.
But after indomitable courage and hard work, Pant gradually started practicing cricket and also announced to be fit just before this season.
The team management also encouraged his courage and declared him the new leader of the team.
Last season, Delhi captain David Warner did score some runs but many former players criticized his slow run rate.
Delhi, one of the teams that could never win the title, this time has full hope that under the leadership of Pant, their team will capture the trophy.
In 98 matches, Pant has scored 2838 runs at a strike rate of about 148, in which one century and 15 half-centuries have come from his bat.
Delhi hopes that Pant will make a big increase in this number and the team will be able to achieve the distinction of becoming champion in the 17th attempt.