Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is the ultimate modern-day cricketer - a powerful striker, handy bowler, electric fielder, and inspirational leader. The Baroda all-rounder first caught the eye in IPL 2015 when he stunned KKR with a 31-ball 61 for Mumbai Indians. That began a glorious 7-year stint with MI, where he formed the core of their winning juggernaut with his X-factor, lifting the trophy in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Pandya's IPL exploits fast-tracked him into the Indian team across formats. His 3/17 against Bangladesh in the 2016 T20 World Cup, defending 2 runs off 3 balls, showed his big-match temperament. In the 2017 IPL, he smashed 250 runs at a strike rate of 156.25 and took 6 wickets as MI won the title. 2019 was his best season, blasting 402 runs at a strike rate of 191.42 with a sensational 91 off 34 balls vs KKR.

After MI released him and his brother Krunal, Pandya was picked by the newly-formed Gujarat Titans as captain for IPL 2022. He led from the front with 487 runs and 8 wickets, guiding GT to the title in their debut season and was PoTM in the TATA IPL 2022 final. He almost won them their 2nd consecutive title in IPL 2023, but was denied by Jadeja scoring 10 runs off the last 2 deliveries of Mohit Sharma.

Circa March 2024, He has scored 3,642 runs and taken 174 wickets for India across formats in international cricket.

At 30, he is at the peak of his powers although fitness has not been his best friend over the years. He was traded back to MI for IPL 2024 and made captain. With his wife Natasa and son Agastya cheering him on, Pandya will be determined to bring the trophy back to his home franchise.

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