'I want to emulate him' - Hardik Pandya draws inspiration from 'big brother' MS Dhoni

Gujarat Titans are one of the two new teams added to the existing eight-team pool in IPL 2022. The franchise will be led by dynamic Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya who has a huge task on his hand. Ahead of their much awaited IPL Debut against Lucknow Super Giants, Hardik has sent a firm and an inspirational message to all the fans. He also wants to emulate MS Dhoni and wants to draw inspiration from him during the IPL.

In a video posted by the official Twitter handle of Gujarat Titans, the 28-year-old oozes confidence, which shows that he is ready to assume the captaincy duties for the first time in his professional career. Hardik Pandya aspires to take his side towards the peak, which he describes it as ‘sporting success.’ However, the Baroda based all-rounder is not getting too ahead of himself, and accepts that there might be many roadblocks on his way to the top.

Hardik Pandya has been under the scanner on several occasions in the past few years, after being banned by BCCI for his comments on a reputed TV show in India. Moreover, the Indian player has been struggling with a back injury for long now, which has restricted his bowling time out in the middle. But, Hardik Pandya believes that if he has gotten through such storms, he can cross any obstacle that is laid in front of him.

“If I have survived being in the national storm, a ban and a grueling back injury, and more, I know what it takes,” Hardik Pandya said referring to the challenges that lay ahead.

“It’s a range my brother has scaled,” Hardik Pandya on MS Dhoni

Hardik Pandya shares a close bond with former Indian teammate and skipper, MS Dhoni. As the all-rounder starts his new role as a captain, he seeks to emulate one of the India’s most successful captains and four-time IPL winner, MS Dhoni. Moreover, the former Mumbai Indians player has stated that it is no secret that he wishes to draw inspiration from the veteran wicketkeeper batter.

In a segment talking about sporting success, Hardik Pandya says: “It’s toward that peak, called sporting success. That sweet, lofty spot where grit lives with grind, labor leads to luck. It’s a range with my brother (MS Dhoni) has scaled, and I have made no attempts to hide that I want to emulate him.”

Hardik Pandya also mentions his hero, Sachin Tendulkar in this particular segment. The Master Blaster is the mentor of Mumbai Indians, hence he shares a good bond with the Gujarat Titans skipper. “It’s a place that my hero has owned, and told me stories of how he got there,” added Pandya.