Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer praised Hardik Pandya's captaincy, saying the all-rounder is willing to take chances while maintaining his personal game.

Hardik, who captained India in Rohit Sharma's absence, guided the hosts to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the first ODI. After India's top-order collapse, Hardik got the crucial wicket of Steve Smith before hitting 25 runs. Hardik is dynamic, according to Jaffer, and he encourages his athletes to take chances. "Hardik's leadership has impressed me. We've been discussing it since the IPL; he's quite active.

He takes the gamble on the athletes and asks the batters to take the risk. "He appears to be very focused on the game," Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo. Jaffer added that Hardik could have done better with the bat, but that the all-rounder has surprised him overall. "I like him as a captain because he is willing to take risks and his overall game is solid.

From the standpoint of the game, Steve Smith's dismissal was crucial. And then coming in and achieving that 20-30 odd as well; he could have done more, but the more I see him, the more I admire him." On March 17, India knocked out Australia for 188 at the Wankhede Stadium, with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj sharing six wickets each and Ravindra Jadeja taking two. After India's top-order collapsed in quick succession, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja carried the match deep. Rahul (75*) and Jadeja (45*) led India to a five-wicket victory. India will aim to take an unassailable lead in the second One-Day International (ODI) on March 19.