Hardik Pandya gets emotional going down the memory lane to his ODI debut in 2016

Hardik Pandya is one of the prolific all-rounders India currently have in their setup, especially in the ODI and T20I format. Surprisingly, the Baroda cricketer hasn’t played Test cricket for over a year now after foraying into the format in 2017 versus Sri Lanka. For a long time, India has strained to find a fast-bowling all-rounder after Kapil Dev and Pandya has stepped in with authority.

The year 2015 was a significant one for him as he played for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. In January 2016, he got his maiden India cap in a T20I against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Later that year, he was drafted into the ODI team as well in the home series versus New Zealand at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.

Hardik’s reminisces the great moment 

Before his ODI debut, he had only played 16 T20Is in which he managed 78 runs at an average of 11.14 and got only 15 wickets. However, his good show for the Mumbai franchise in the IPL kept him in the selectors’ radar. Three years down the line, the 26-year-old Hardik is a much-improved cricketer, having represented the national team in 105 games at the highest level.

On October 16, he played his first ODI and did reasonably well. With the ball in hand, he picked up three wickets, conceding only 31 runs in three overs. He got rid of Martin Guptill and then pinned the dangerous duo of Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi, both of whom can tear any bowling apart on their day. He didn’t get a chance to bat as India chased down 191 with 101 balls to spare.

Hardik remembers the day very well and he got emotional while going down the memory lane. He posted a picture where he can be seen getting his ODI cap. About playing for India, he called it to be his greatest honour and called his journey with the Indian team a memorable one.

He captioned the picture and wrote, “Taking a moment to remember my ODI debut three years ago today … what a memorable journey it’s been so far with #TeamIndia. Every time I step onto the field, I realize a dream I had as a kid to play for my country.. there’s no greater honour for me,”

Here is Hardik Pandya’s tweet

Taking a moment to remember my ODI debut three years ago today … what a memorable journey it's been so far with #TeamIndia. Every time I step onto the field, I realize a dream I had as a kid to play for my country.. there's no greater honour for me 🇮🇳❤ pic.twitter.com/myD4nwMLJL

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 16, 2019

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