- Nasima Akter
Hardik Pandya and Akash Ambani Spotted Strolling After Match
Gujarat Titans recently defeated Mumbai Indians by a whopping 55 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The GT skipper, Hardik Pandya, was the key player who led his team to victory with an outstanding performance.
After the match, a video of Hardik Pandya walking and chatting with Akash Ambani went viral on social media. Akash Ambani is the son of Mumbai Indians' owner Nita Ambani. It was a candid moment that showed the friendly relationship between the two despite the intense rivalry between their respective teams.
Hardik and Akash's Relationship
Hardik Pandya's relationship with the Ambani family goes beyond that of just a cricketer and team owner. The Mumbai Indians team, owned by the Ambanis, has been a significant part of Pandya's life since the beginning of his IPL career in 2015. He has won four IPL titles for the team and has formed a strong bond with the family who took a chance on him.
In 2019, when Pandya underwent surgery for his lower back, Nita Ambani, Mukesh Ambani's wife, surprised him with a visit to the hospital in London, where he was recuperating. Pandya tweeted a picture of himself with Nita and affectionately referred to her as "bhabhi," a term commonly used to express affection towards female friends.
Mukesh Ambani's eldest son, Akash, who co-owns the Mumbai Indians, is also a close friend and boss to Pandya. In an interview, Pandya praised Akash's involvement in the team, stating that he knows cricket stats off the top of his head and provides motivation and support to the players. Pandya has even attended events hosted by the Ambani family, such as Akash's wedding in 2019.
Pandya's Performance in the IPL
Pandya has been a key player in the IPL for many years now, but his move to the Gujarat Titans has been the making of him as a captain. Last season, he led the Titans to their maiden IPL title in their debut season. And in the current season, the Titans have been in top form, winning five of their seven games.
On Tuesday, the Titans faced off against the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians, and emerged victorious. They posted a daunting total of 207/6, with Shubman Gill scoring a classy half-century and Abhinav Manohar and David Miller providing the finishing touches. The Titans’ Afghanistan spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad then took five wickets between them to bundle out the Mumbai Indians for 152/9, giving the Titans a resounding 55-run victory.
The Match and Its Results
The match saw Mumbai Indians struggle against a well-oiled Gujarat Titans team. Hardik Pandya played a crucial role in guiding his team to victory. He got his tactics spot on and led his team with precision.
The victory was all the more special for Hardik Pandya, who had played for Mumbai Indians in the initial stages of his IPL career. However, he was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2022 season.
In an interview after the match, Hardik Pandya spoke about his captaincy style and how he backs his instincts. He credited his coach Ashish Nehra for guiding him and helping him make the right calls on the field.
Hardik Pandya also explained the strategy behind using spinners Rashid and Noor against Mumbai Indians' big-hitters Green and Tim David. The move paid off, as Gujarat Titans were able to close out the game early.
Overall, it was an impressive victory for Gujarat Titans, and Hardik Pandya's leadership played a crucial role in it. The friendly chat between him and Akash Ambani after the match was a heartwarming moment that showed that even fierce competitors can be friends off the field.
