12 Exciting facts about Hardik Pandya - The emerging star

12 Exciting facts about Hardik Pandya – The emerging star: Hardik Pandya reflects a perfect case where talent overcomes all sorts of adversity and attains success. The Mumbai Indians star hails from a modest background. He is however an abundantly talented cricketer who has made a name for himself in a very short span of time. He is touted as the “man for the future’ by many current and former players.

1. Birth:

Hardik Pandya was born on 11^th October 1993 in Choryasi, Surat, Gujarat.

2. Growing years:

Hardik Pandya’s growing years were not easy and he grew up in hardship. Krunal, his brother and Hardik would often spend the entire day solely on one meal.

3. Passionate father:

His father Himanshu was an ardent lover of the game. He was drawn towards cricket because of his father who took him to watch matches in Vadodara.

4. The start of it:

After seeing the interest for the game, Hardik Pandya along with his elder brother Krunal Pandya were enrolled in the Kiran More International Academy at the age of 5 and 7 respectively.

5. Struggles in life:

His father had to quit his job after suffering from heart attack thrice. Life became tougher for him after the sole bread winner of the family was confined to bed rest.

6. Education:

Hardik Pandya failed ninth class and quit education to focus on his cricketing dreams.

7. Jack of all trades:

Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder. His coaches identify him as a resourceful player who is neither a conventional batsman nor a superbly talented bowler. However, he gives an assurance that he can fare well in both aspects and produce match-wining performances which he has proven in his past outings.

8. Nickname:

Hardik Pandya has a very cool nickname in the Mumbai Indians dressing rooms. He is called ‘Rockstar’ by his teammates.

9. A leg spinner:

Hardik Pandya was leg spinner before one day suddenly he switched to seam bowling. Once at the Kiran More International Academy, the team was one fast bowler short before a local match. Kiran more asked him to take the responsibility. He immediately accepted the task and took everyone by surprise by picking up seven wickets in that match. This is how he became a medium pacer.

10. Entry in the big league: 

Pandya was spotted by then Mumbai Indians coach John Wright in a West Zone match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Each and every high-profile member of Mumbai Indians was impressed by him during the selection trials. Head coach Ricky Ponting short-listed Hardik after going through the footage of more than 50 short-listed cricketers ahead of the IPL 8 player auction in February. He was subsequently bought by the franchise at base price of 10 lakhs.

11. Rise to fame:

After toiling hard in the domestic circuit since 2013. Pandya was bought by Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2015 season. He did not disappoint and justified his talent. Firstly, he smashed a 8 ball 21 against Chennai Super Kings and then rescued MI against Kolkata Knight Riders. He scored a blazing 31 ball 61 in a must win fixture. His majestic performances won him two ‘man of the match’ awards in the IPL.

12. Domestic Team:

Before becoming a Mumbai Indians star, Pandya played for Baroda at the domestic level. He broke into the Baroda Ranji squad on November 28, 2013.