IPL 2026: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has revealed that his cricketing journey began as a "pure batter", and it was his unwavering work ethic and eagerness to push beyond the boundaries that propelled him to become one of the country's most prized cricketers.
Hardik’s cricketing journey has been nothing short of astonishing. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2013 and broke into the Indian Premier League in 2015 with the Mumbai Indians. His pivotal roles in India's T20 World Cup victories in 2024 and 2026.
"I was just a pure batter who batted all his 17-19 years of youth... I only knew one thing: if you tell people to run 12 rounds, I ran 15 rounds. So from there, out of the blue, someone sees me and one year later, I play Ranji Trophy," said the 32-year-old at an MI promotional event here.
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Hardik’s multifunctionality as a two-in-one player in limited-overs cricket has made him an indispensable asset, with his ability to deliver game-changing performances with both bat and ball.
"Playing a Ranji game, they haven't come to see me but they were able to identify that I had something special. That shows the talent MI scouting has, that is what MI scouting does. I had to adapt, I had no idea to look after my body, I had no idea. No matter how much someone will push, I know how to work hard... Duniya upar se neeche ho jaye (Even if the world turns upside down) I always believed in hard work. I always tell this to the youngsters," he said.
The five-time champions are chasing a record sixth IPL title, having last lifted the trophy in 2020. In recent seasons, MI has faced a mixed run, concluding their campaign at the bottom in 2024 and losing to eventual runners-up Punjab Kings in the playoffs last year.
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"Ultimate dream is to win IPL for the sixth time for our Paltan. MI already has such an amazing legacy. MI fans are the team's heartbeat. The junoon, the passion, when I first played, I wanted that. Play the best kind of cricket that MI and Hardik Pandya have ever played, that's the legacy I want to be for MI and win trophies as many as possible," he said.
On the absence of five stars on the jersey despite their title count, Pandya quipped: "Honest answer is we want to win as many as possible. Fortunate that we've won five already, so if we keep on putting it, then there would not be any space left."