Hardik Pandya is one of the most loved cricketers in India at the moment. He is a fast-bowling all-rounder and India, as a nation, has been waiting for one since the great Kapil Dev retired from international cricket. In this post, The Cricket Lounge’s Divey Chawla, lists 10 facts about Hardik Pandya that Indian cricket fans need to know.
1) Former Indian cricketer Kiran Moore was very impressed when he saw the talent in 5 year old Hardik Pandya for the first time.
When Pandya brothers’ father took him to Kiran Moore’s academy, they were first rejected because the minimum age for enrolment was 12 years. But, their father didn’t lose and somehow convinced Moore to take their skill test before taking any decision. When Moore test Pandya brothers’ skills, he was very impressed with their talent and willingness to work hard. That day changed the rules of Kiran Moore’s academy and boys from all age groups were allowed to train.
2) Humble background
Pandyas’ financial condition was very weak and some people close the family also say that they could hardly afford one meal a day. But, this doesn’t stop Hardik and Krunal. They worked hard irrespective of their financial position. Kiran Moore was so impressed with their talent and hard work that he didn’t take any fees from them for the first 3 years.
3) Left school in class 9th to focus only on cricket
Hardik always wanted to be a cricketer. So, to avoid any distraction, he gave up his studies after he failed in 9th standard, just to focus on becoming a better cricketer. And, he did that. Hardik is now of the best young all-rounders in the world and many believe that, if he keeps working hard, Hardik will be one of India’s biggest superstars in the coming years.
4) Hardik started his career as a leg spinner
Hardik used to bowl leg spin but one day, at Kiran Moore’s academy, there was a shortage of fast bowlers for a match and Moore asked him to take the responsibility. Pandya surprised one and all with his brilliant display of fast bowling. He took 7 wickets in that match.
5) 3 years ago, Hardik Pandya used to get just INR 400 per match
“There was no name for the tournament. It was just between villages. I would play for teams like Jhambuja XI. What was the fascination? Rs 400. My brother used to get Rs 500. For a week at least, life would be normal. There was no name for the tournament,” Hardik Pandya revealed in an interview to ESPNcricinfo.
6) Because of his flamboyant style, Hardik Pandya is known as the ‘West Indian of Broada’
Pandya is a very flamboyant character on and off the field. He plays the game with a big smile on face and keeps things very simple. Because of thus flamboyant style and colourful attitude, he is popularly known as the ‘West Indian of Baroda’.
7) John Wright discovered Hardik Pandya’s talent
In 2017, former India and Mumbai Indians coach John Wright scouted Pandya’s talent and picked him for the Mumbai Indians’ squad that season. And the rest, as they say, is history.
8) Pandya brothers are also known as ‘Maggi brothers’
Kiran Moore used to call Krunal and Hardik as ‘Maggi brothers’ became they used to eat maggi to kill their hunger.
9) Hardik Pandya holds the record for scoring the most number of runs in an over in Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy
During a Group C match against Delhi in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy of 2016, Hardik, playing for Baroda smashed 39 runs in an over of Akash Sudan.
