“My opponents get tiny chills in their spine…” Hardik Pandya expresses his feelings before leading a team for the first time
Follow Us
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya, the new captain, could be seen in a video shared by the new face in the 15th edition of IPL, Gujarat Titans, ahead of their match against the other debutant team Lucknow Super Giants which will start today, that is on March 28. In the video, team captain Pandya expressed his feelings on leading a team.
This IPL will be a test for him but the 29-year-old said that he has had some ups and downs in his career, a ban from BCCI and the back injury, which stopped him from showing an all-rounder that he was, but he fought every turbulence. He even expressed his desire to emulate MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar to reach that lofty spot.
“That sweet lofty spot, where grit lives with the grind, labor leads to luck. It is a range that my brother (MS Dhoni) has scaled and I have made no attempts to hide that I want to emulate him. It’s a place that my hero (Sachin Tendulkar) has owned and told me stories of how he got there. It is a journey which will pit me sometimes against my sibling (Krunal Pandya), my soulmate and many of my closest friends.”
Also Read | “It wasn’t just the no ball…” – Virender Sehwag reveals the real reason behind India’s loss at ICC World Cup
A challenge for Hardik Pandya
This season is something new for Hardik Pandya because it will be his first one as a captain of a franchise and away from the Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya grew up in the shadow of Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Lasith Malinga when he was with the Mumbai Indians.
He hasn’t bowled since IPL 2021 due to a severe back injury. His bowling and fielding skills after the injury will be known in the tournament. Pandya is maverick with the bat and an explosive player. Emotions are clearly visible on his face as opposed to MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma who, with calmness, has had successfully helped the team out of a crisis, it will be a big test for Pandya.
“And like every flight, this too may have turbulence. But hey, look at me. If I have survived being in a national storm, a ban, a grueling back injury and more, I know what it takes. Besides, my co-pilots make me wiser and happier.”
“Confidence, flamboyance, whatever you term it, I just know that when I walk in, bat in my hand, my opponents get tiny little chills in their spine knowing that I can pull off a heist from anywhere.” He said.
Stay Updated!
Gouri Das
(4696 Articles Published)