Flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya made his IPL debut in the MI Blue and Gold way back in 2015. In the last six years, life has changed tremendously for him, and the MI fans have enjoyed his show of power hitting on the field.

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, the middle order batter threw light on some aspects of his life at Mumbai Indians and more. Below are excerpts from that interview.

On John Wright picking Hardik up as a potential talent for MI

“In the 2013-14 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, Zaheer Khan was playing for Mumbai against Baroda, along with others like Suryakumar Yadav, Pravin Tambe, Aditya Tare, Dhawal Kulkarni, who were in the eyes of franchises. Kiran Sir (More) had spoken to John Wright about us two brothers. John was always there for all the games as he was a scout.”

“Akash (Ambani, Mumbai Indians' owner) came with Rahul Sanghvi (Mumbai Indians' manager). There's a saying in Hindi: Jungle mein mor naacha kisne dekha? [if a peacock dances in a forest, did anyone see it?] With me, that's not been the case - whenever I have danced, someone has watched. I scored 82 not out.”

“Yeah, John played a very, very big part because he actually showed the owners that this guy is there. I don't get to speak to John a lot but the last time I met him, I thanked him again. I appreciate people who have stood by me and I don't forget them - at the end of the day if you have helped with Rs 5 or if you have helped with your time, Hardik and Krunal never forget that.”

On meeting Amitabh Bachchan after the 2017 IPL win

“When Amit sir came, he asked for us first. Someone came and said: "Mukesh sir [Ambani, owner of Mumbai Indians] is calling because Amit ji wants to meet you guys. I took our father as well. He was blushing. I could see his watery eyes - he was not crying, but just when you get overwhelmed and overawed.”

“It was one of those memories which I and Krunal will always remember of our father being so proud. Amitabh Bachchan, the legend, is asking for you. There were bigger people than us there, but he greeted us first, and said that to our father. My father must have told 1000 people about that incident.”

On his whirlwind 91 off 34 vs KKR

“The 91-off-34 against KKR was one hundred per cent my best innings. I have never hit a ball like that. Every ball was off the middle of the bat. Every ball flew where I wanted. The first few sixes, I literally did not even finish the bat swing, I just jabbed it and it went 90-95 metres. I was batting with my favourite bat, which I had emotionally put to rest because it had served for three years.”

“I gave my father that bat. I kept the bat in his room after he passed away because that was the bat that gave him a lot of happiness. I must have scored about 150 sixes with it - both in international cricket and IPL. That was my crisis bat. Now I don't have one bat I use. I use every bat in my kit.”

When the team management reached out to him during tough times

“They stood by me during my lows and highs. Recently when my dad passed away (in January 2021), Krunal and I got a letter from Mukesh sir and Nita ma'am (Owner, Mumbai Indians) giving their condolences. For us it was very emotional. I started crying. My father would have been so happy. He loved fame, all the attention.”

Hardik on Akash Ambani, the Mumbai Indians owner, and the equation they share

“Akash has been a tremendous friend. I never get the vibe that he is the owner of our team and he is our boss. He has more stats knowledge than myself. He will know stats about any cricketer you name. He watches every single game around the world. He can make the opposition team's XI as well - he is that aware. Whenever we play a practice match, even if he is not at the ground, he watches from home - he is that invested.”

“One day during training he came to the ground. He walked with me a few rounds, talked about life and everything. That gave me the added motivation that I need to do more for them (the Ambanis) because of the kind of support they showed me.”

On Hardik’s bond with Kieron Pollard

“We call him grandpa. He is from West Indies but he is actually a Gujarati at heart. He literally functions like an Indian: a guy who believes in property, a guy who believes in investments, a guy who believes: instead of buying a car, I'll buy property because it will grow, ek rupiah nahin waste karoonga [I won't waste a rupee].”

“How Krunal is for me, Pollard is the same. He has been part of the international circuit for a long time. I don't sometimes understand how it functions, but he has taught me to let it be. I am very upfront if I don't like something. There are lots of times when he has calmed me down, lots of times when he has given me life lessons.”

“The relationship started because of Krunal. In 2015 at the IPL I did not speak to Polly. He was in the next room but it was just "Hi Polly, bye Polly." In 2016, when Krunal came in, I started talking to Polly. Polly is now family, not just a friend, not just a team-mate.”

The IPL 2021 chapter has come to a close, but cricket in the UAE is far from ending. Hardik will be seen in action soon in the Indian Blue in the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting on Sunday, 24th October. Who's ready for cricket weekends again?