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Legendary Indian cricketer MS Dhoni was recently named captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) best eleven. Dhoni, the most capped player in the history of the cash-rich league, was the architect of CSK’s record-equalling fifth IPL crown in the previous edition. Dhoni and company overcame Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final thriller to lift the famous trophy last season. On Tuesday, the IPL marked 16 years since the first auction.
In selecting the ‘Greatest IPL Team Ever’, the official broadcaster of IPL 2024 included an esteemed panel of cricket legends – Mathew Hayden, Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram and Tom Moody. While experts unanimously recognized CSK icon Dhoni as the best captain, legendary Australian opener Hayden reserved special praise for all-rounder Pandya. Former India stand-in captain Pandya has completed a sensational move to Mumbai Indians (MI) from Gujarat Titans ahead of the new season.
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Hardik Pandya enters Matthew Hayden’s best eleven
“I don’t want to waste, if there is such a thing where greats are picked, an opportunity for an Indian talent instead of a foreign talent, so Hardik Pandya will surely come into my best XI. I am going to pick Jadeja too as I want that left-arm option, and a great fielder, which Hardik is too. So Hardik at this stage is my choice,” Hayden said. Star sports.
Pandya to lead Rohit Sharma’s MI in IPL 2024
Five-time winners Mumbai Indians sealed a historic cash deal by signing Pandya from Gujarat in the run-up to the IPL 2024 auction. Pandya arrived in Mumbai after guiding GT to back-to-back finals. In his first season as captain, Pandya propelled Gujarat to their first IPL crown. Pandya has also been named captain of the Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024. The white-ball maverick has recovered from an ankle injury ahead of the upcoming season.
Hardik’s journey to the IPL
Pandya made his IPL debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2015. The 30-year-old has played 123 matches in the elite T20 tournament. The former GT captain racked up 346 runs for his former franchise last season. Pandya only picked three wickets for GT in 16 games. Hardik won four IPL titles with MI between 2015 and 2021.
