Ever since Hardik Pandya made his IPL debut, he has been a revelation in the MI Blue and Gold. The versatile all-rounder has established himself as a valuable part of the team set up not only for Mumbai Indians but also for India. 

1068 runs, 42 wickets, an amazing strike rate of 154.78 and three IPL titles spanning five years. The flamboyant all-rounder has already scaled heights in his short career and has the potential to develop into something very special over the coming years. 

In his conversation with Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz, Hardik presented a detailed overview of his cricketing journey. Right from his stint with Mumbai Indians to his rapport with teammates and playing for India, here’s what he said. 

Where it all began 

When did the journey begin? Was it during the Champions Trophy final in 2017? Or his debut season for the Men in Blue in 2016? Or was it when he was brought for 10 lakhs by Mumbai Indians in the IPL Auction back in 2015? 

"In 2015, 10 lakhs meant the world to me. But my journey started after playing T20 for Baroda back in 2013 where I got to bat at No.3. There I realised how good I am. I was playing with all the senior players." 

Hardik had a spectacular season at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (2013-14) where he ended up as the second-highest run-scorer for Baroda with 219 runs and also picked 11 wickets. Soon enough, his performances caught the eye of John Wright and that’s where it all started. 

"Whenever I have performed, someone has always been there to see me. In the game, Zak was bowling and I had scored 82, everyone from the owners to Rahul Sanghvi (Manager) and John Wright were present in the stadium." 

Hardik Pandya vs Pawan Negi, Chepauk 

The match against CSK in 2015 allowed Pandya to climb the ladders in his debut season. Pawan Negi who had been economical till then was asked to bowl the penultimate over with 30 required off 12 balls. What followed was three gigantic sixes off the next four balls that swung the game in MI’s favour. 

“When Rohit walked back after getting out, Harbhajan was padded up but he specifically signalled for me to come in. When I saw Mahi bhai giving the ball to Pawan Negi, my eyes popped out because now I at least had a chance. After hitting the first six, I tried to reverse sweep. So Rayudu told me that you have the power, go straight. That second six over cover is one of my best shots I’ve played to date.” 

Rapport with teammates 

Both Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik made their Indian debut in the same tour after having shared the dressing room for Mumbai Indians. Pandya was full of praise for the right-arm pacer who has become a phenomenon in the cricketing world with his bowling performances. 

"Jassi is a very different character. He's calm, but he's someone who likes to be left alone. If he has to talk to someone then he'll initiate the conversation. I can never be like him even if I try. He's knowledgeable, well-spoken, thinks 20 times before speaking. But he's someone who I enjoy being with. We have got success together and have genuinely shared success." 

Kieron Pollard is another figure in the MI dressing room that Pandya has been quite familiar with. Both have been proven match-winners in the lower order on numerous occasions and are known for being power-hitters with the bat. 

"I always wanted to learn from the best, different things from different people, and I wanted to combine that in my game - Mahi bhai's calmness, Virat's hunger. That's when I realised that Polly is someone who relates to my game. We have such beautiful relations, our families are in touch. We talk despite all the time differences in the West Indies, we make sure we talk at least once in a month. I look up to him as my senior, my role model" 

Right from making his IPL debut under him to playing for Team India, Rohit Sharma has always been around the Baroda-based all-rounder. While Pandya admits they don’t talk much about cricket, he has enjoyed playing under Hitman. 

"I have always enjoyed playing with Rohit and he has been a great captain. We don't have many conversations about the game but I have had my best years playing under him." 

While Hardik arrived into the scene in 2015, it was his brother Krunal Pandya who was bought by MI in 2016. From playing for Mumbai Indians to playing for India, both the brothers have established their proficiency as match-winners. 

"My brother and I always think about our journey. Whatever we have right now, it was out of our imagination. We are always grateful to the people who have helped us and also to those who haven't." 

His bond with KL Rahul is well known. Both have been star players for Team India and good mates outside the cricketing field too. They even exchanged their jerseys after a thrilling MI vs KXIP encounter in 2018. 

“It was his idea to exchange shirts. KL is a brother to me. We have gone up having success together and gone down in the same boat, then coming up differently. He hasn’t changed for me, has become calmer but our friendship hasn’t changed even now.” 

Contribution of seniors and coaches 

When it comes to the development of a youngster, the coaches and the seniors generally play a key role in nurturing the talent. Pandya spoke about the influence of Ricky Ponting at the MI dressing room who is often regarded as one of the best in business. 

"Ricky Ponting was someone who looked after me the best. I used to feel like he was my father figure there. Ricky taught me so many things, game situations, mindset, how strong you should be. As a new boy in 2015, I used to sit next to the hoardings. He used to sit down with me and talk about the game which helped me learn quickly." 

MS Dhoni was the Indian skipper when Pandya made his national debut. The all-rounder also shares a great camaraderie with him. He remarked how the wicketkeeper embarked him on the process of self-learning. 

"I think he (MS Dhoni) wanted me to learn from my own experiences. To be honest, I think what he did was fantastic. Mahi bhai is family to me. I have gotten so close to him in the last two years. I didn’t know he was so open, friendly and loved joking around. I can’t imagine that I can tell anything to him and he takes it sportingly.”

The current setup, under skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri, has also been quite supportive of Pandya. The 26-year old highlighted the same and also lauded the team environment with these two at the helm. 

"Virat and Ravi bhai, Rohit in MI, they have given me that freedom, not just to me, but for Jasprit and everyone in the team. That's the beauty of this current Indian team, we have all made mistakes, but we are also learning at a very rapid pace. Those two have backed me a lot. The sense of security that they gave me helped big time." 

Talking about Kohli, Pandya mentioned how both have a similar attitude. 

“Virat and I match very well. We have the same mindset in the game. We like to take challenges. I hate playing in easy situations because I feel my talent is being wasted."

While playing for India ‘A’, Hardik also got an opportunity to work with Rahul Dravid and had a wonderful experience. 

"Rahul Dravid has always accepted me the way I am. He never made me feel that he's judging me, he has always enjoyed watching my work ethics and has told me about the same as well." 

Top performances 

76 (43) vs PAK, 2017 Champions Trophy final 

With India reduced to 72/6 on the big day, there was little respite for the fans. However, Hardik’s enthralling knock provided a much-needed entertainment in the game before it was cut short due to an unfortunate run-out. 

“When I was at the crease, I wasn’t thinking much about the situation. I felt it might be my day as I was connecting well. The wicket was good and I was in the right frame of mind.”

108 (96) vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, 2017

Playing a Test match for India is nothing less than a dream but going on to hit a hundred -- that too batting at No.8 is extraordinary. After India were seven down at 340 with no recognized batsman left, Pandya ensured that the visitors scored a total of 487 from there, and in the process, registered his first-ever century in international cricket. 

"I love to bat with the tail because bowlers are on the backfoot knowing I will go all out. That situation is ideally tailor-made for me. I told, let's aim for 400 but I went on to complete my century within the next four overs and we went beyond 450.”

However, he rates the innings at Cape Town higher. 

"My 93 against South Africa was a much better inning than the century against Sri Lanka."

5/28 vs England, 3rd Test, 2018

During the England tour of 2018, not only did Pandya swing the ball well but also marked his coming of age as a bowler. He managed to pick a five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge which continues to be his best bowling performance till date. 

"There was no swing when I played in Sri Lanka. We played with the Kookaburra in South Africa and I realized I could swing the ball. When I went to England and bowled with the duke ball, I could swing it a great deal. I saw one interview about Steyn swinging the ball late and that's when I started working on it."

Power-hitting and the finisher’s role 

One thing that Pandya has gained recognition for, is his ability to go bonkers with the bat. Time and again, he has stepped up with his hitting skills and has turned the tide in his team’s favour. When asked how he garners the strength to hit those power shots, he told it had more to do with his technique. 

"If I hit a six, it has to come from the middle of the bat. I think my power-hitting is related to my technique. I have realised that hand-eye coordination works the best for me. Once I opened my stance, I just felt more confident. Bowl wherever you want."

Does Pandya relish batting in the top order? Yes, but he also knows that the team requires him to do the job at No.7.

“That’s my goal. I want to be a finisher at No. 5 but what I do at No.7, not many people do. If I find someone who can bat there, I can bat above. But if I don’t see anyone, I will stick there because that’s where we will win a lot of games."

Playing his first World Cup and come back after injury

Pandya reminisced memories of the 2011 World Cup and how he as a fan celebrated the glory. He was a crucial player in the team for the 2019 World Cup where he amassed 226 runs and also picked 10 wickets.

"India winning the 2011 World Cup was an out of the world feeling. When Dhoni hit the six, we just shouted and enjoyed because everyone was outside and celebrating with flags and music. Who would've imagined that the guy celebrating the 2011 World Cup win would play for India in the 2019 edition!"

Having undergone a back surgery right after the World Cup, Pandya knows it will be difficult for him to resume playing Test cricket immediately. However, he is keen to return to the limited-overs setup.

“After my back surgery, playing Test cricket right now will be a challenge. I can go now and risk my back in Tests but I know my importance in white-ball cricket and what I’m capable of doing there.”

What drove Hardik Pandya to become the man he is today?

"I always wanted to reach the top level. My sole motivation was to change my and my family's life."