WATCH: Hardik Pandya Nails 2 Consecutive Sixes Against Ashwin

RR vs GT IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya plays a captain's knock of 87 runs against Rajasthan Royals, and took on R Ashwin for two consecutive sixes. Watch video here.

RR vs GT IPL 2022: The cricketing fraternity is delighted and excited to see the new form of Hardik Pandya. Coming in from a long injury period, Hardik Pandya has played the role of captain for Gujarat Titans ably, as he now bowls in the powerplay as well as bats at #4. Against Rajasthan Royals, captain Pandya played a superb captain's knock and helped his team to a good total.

After coming in to bat in just the 5th over, as Titans lost their second wicket at a meagre score of 15, Hardik Pandya held the crease firmly, striking only at loose balls or when the team required. After completing his fifty off 34 balls, in the 14th over, Pandya looked to increase his strike rate and take the team to a good total. This was also the first time Hardik Pandya scored back-to-back fifties in the IPL.

The 15th over of the innings was being bowled by ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin bowled the third delivery flat & quick, and Hardik smacked it with perfect timing. Devudt Padikkal tried to catch the ball but it was just above the tall player and the ball went for a six. 

Ashwin bowled the next delivery short and on the leg stump, and Hardik didn't miss the freebie as he waited and pulled Ashwin for a whacking six over deep square leg. 

Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 87 runs in 52 balls as Gujarat Titans posted 192/4 in 20 overs after being put in to bat first by Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson in the 24th match of IPL 2022. Apart from the skipper, youngster Abhinav Manohar contributed with 43 runs in 28 balls while David Miller remained unbeaten on 31 runs in just 14 balls. This match is being played at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai.