Mumbai, May 10: A fearless brand of cricket and not thinking too much about the result are helping the new IPL teams Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants to get great success in the current edition of the tournament, feels the legendary cricketer of the India, Sunil Gavaskar.
Both teams are on the verge of securing an IPL playoff spot in their first appearance, having won eight of the 11 matches they have played so far. While KL Rahul-led LSG tops the charts with 16 points, Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans are second with the same number of points but a lower net run rate.
Both teams are just one win away from securing a playoff spot.
“Gujarat is playing so freely and they are not afraid (in the approach). There is no fear of the world in their game and that is why they are winning. Of course you want to win even when playing in your backyard but a loss is not means it’s the end of the world, that’s the approach with which they step onto the pitch. They are enjoying their game and playing positive cricket,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.
In the reverse matchup later Tuesday at MCA Stadium, both teams will leave no stone unturned to win and enter the playoffs.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh supported the Pandya-led Gujarat Titans to win the match against Lucknow and become the first team to qualify for the playoffs.
“Gujarat Titans are going to win the match against Lucknow Super Giants and become the first team to qualify. The team led by Hardik Pandya is very strong. Rashid Khan is in great shape and coach Ashish Nehra is giving them just the right amount of confidence. This team is hard to beat,” said Harbhajan.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden also praised the Gujarat Titans for the type of cricket they are playing in their debut season and the match winners the franchise has in its ranks.
“GT hits deep, they have the confidence and they are full of match winners. It is exciting to watch them because when there is not a Rahul Tewatia show, it is a Rashid Khan show and when Rashid is not acting, he is a killer.” -Miller Show (David Miller). This team is lined up with several match winners and that is what makes them a dangerous side. It’s exciting to see the brand of cricket they’re playing,” he said.