Amitabh Bachchan's prediction for Hardik Pandya turns true

Hardik Pandya is coming into the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 after a great Indian Premier League. His team Mumbai Indians (MI) became the first to win three IPL titles. Hardik was good both with the bat and the ball. In 17 matches, he scored 250 runs and picked up six wickets. The Baroda all-rounder feels that his performances in the IPL will help him to deliver more accurate short balls in the Champions Trophy.

He is an integral part of the Indian team that has travelled to England with the hope of being the first team to win three Champions Trophy titles. Hardik acknowledged MI mentor Sachin Tendulkar for his valuable inputs to improve his batting. He also thanked teammates Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson for their advice which helped him to grow as a bowler.

“Sachin Tendulkar is obviously there who had guided me about the general character of the batsmen. He has categorically advised me about the nature of wickets in England so that it does not become difficult for me to deliver,” said Pandya.

Regarding Malinga and Johnson, he said: “I was lucky to have bowlers like Mitchell Johnson and Lasith Malinga in Mumbai Indians. They used to give me valuable suggestions whenever I asked them about how to improve the standard of my bowling. Naturally, despite the fact that this is going to be first England tour, I am going there with some very useful experience already.”

Big B’s prediction turns true

Hardik revealed that after winning the IPL 8, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan told him that one day he will represent the country. “I met him in the party of Mumbai Indians after winning the IPL. Mr Bachchan was special guest there. It took place on 22nd May. But he predicted on the day that I would get a call in the national squad for the Champions Trophy. But at the same time Big-B advised me to keep up the momentum which I showed in IPL. I was excited to have received such inspiration from him,” said the 23-year-old.

His prediction came true as Hardik is now a vital cog for the men in blue. He was very confident ahead of the elite tournament. He concluded by saying, ““I feel I will be sharper with the ball in England due to weather condition and the pitches in England. It will not be only the speed. I can deliver more calculated short balls on the pitches in England.”