'Finally filled the role Hardik Pandya played' - Lakshmipathy Balaji calls Gujarat Titans star as team's 'fulcrum'

Published - 16 May 2026, 18:11 IST | Updated - 16 May 2026, 18:36 IST

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has praised the impact West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has had on the Gujarat Titans (GT) during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The 44-year-old went as far as to claim that Holder has finally filled the void left by Hardik Pandya.

Holder missed out on a place in the playing XI with the Titans opting to go with New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips as their overseas all-rounder. The former West Indies captain, however, arrived from the midway point of the season and completely transformed GT’s campaign. Balaji believes that Holder acts as the Titans’ bridge between bowling and batting, something Hardik used to do during the glory years in 2022 and 2023.

"He is an improved cricketer over the last two years in T20 cricket, especially as a death overs bowler and batter. He has evolved in his ability to produce cameos. GT have finally filled the role Hardik Pandya played with him. He is the fulcrum, lending GT great balance in bowling and batting,” Lakshmipathy Balaji said on Star Sports.

Ever since Holder has come into GT’s side, the 2022 champions have gone on to win five out of six matches, putting themselves in a firm position to qualify for the playoffs. From six outings in this season’s IPL, the 34-year-old has not had the most outstanding impacts with the bat, but has added a new dimension with the ball. The right-arm pacer has gone to take 13 wickets from six innings at an economy rate of 6.35, the lowest in his IPL career. This includes taking four wickets against the Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad to take his side to a win.

GT are one of the in-form sides in the tournament as the IPL enters its business end. Skipper Shubman Gill is on the verge of taking his side to back-to-back playoffs, after finishing third in the points standings in 2025.