Sport

MS Dhoni showed a lot of faith in us, fortunate and privileged to play under him: Hardik Pandya

June 6, 2022
Bharat Times

Hardik Pandya made his India debut in 2016 under MS Dhoni. He returned with figures of 2/37 in his first T20I match against Australia.

Hardik Pandya (Right) with MS Dhoni. (courtesy: Reuters)

highlighted

  • Hardik Pandya made his India debut in 2016 under MS Dhoni
  • Hardik Pandya returned with figures of 2/37 in his first T20I match
  • Hardik Pandya leads Gujarat Titans to 2022 IPL glory in team’s first year

Hardik Pandya recalled the support he received from India legend MS Dhoni and said that he feels fortunate and blessed to play under his leadership.

The 28-year-old all-rounder made his T20I and ODI debut in 2016 and dressed in India white the following year. Pandya recovered his form in the recently concluded IPL 2022 and made new entrants Gujarat Titans proud as captain.

“When I joined the Indian team, I saw Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ashish Nehra growing up. Before I played for India, they were stars. For me, it was a big deal when I went there,” Hardik told SGTV podcast.

“So obviously the way I started, I think I’m the first cricketer to go for 21 in his first over, I really thought okay, this might be my last over. But I Very blessed and fortunate to be able to play under Mahi. Bhai who showed a lot of faith in us which helped us reach where we did.”

While bowling against Australia in a T20I match in 2016, Pandya scored 21 runs in his first over. Unlike any other captain who would hesitate to give a newcomer another chance, Dhoni showed his trust in Pandya and gave him another chance to finish with 2/37 in three overs.

Although Pandya didn’t get a chance to bat during the T20I series against Australia, an impressed Dhoni guaranteed an all-rounder’s place in India’s World Cup squad.

“Right after the third game of my international career, Mahi bhai told me that you will be the World Cup team. So for me, to play the World Cup or to know that in the third game I just found out. I didn’t even bat in that game but he assured me that you expressed yourself. Yes, it was just a dream come true,” Pandya said.