MUMBAI: Today, the cricket fraternity recognizes Hardik Pandya as one of the best white-ball players in the game, but when Mumbai Indians first saw him in domestic cricket, he was just a young laborer from Baroda, who only knew how to bat. Recounting his journey in a fireside chat with MI batting coach Kieron Pollard during the ‘MI MIX’ fan event at Jio World Garden on Sunday, Pandya said his rise was shaped by MI’s hard work and sharp scouting system.
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“Before playing for Mumbai Indians, I was just a pure batsman for 17-19 years. All I knew was hard work – if someone told me to run 12 overs, I would run 15,” Pandya said, recalling his early days in domestic cricket.
The turning point came during a Ranji Trophy match when MI scouts noticed him, almost by chance. “I was playing a Ranji match and the scouts hadn’t even come to see me. That’s the beauty of the Mumbai Indians’ scouting system. They identified something special even when they weren’t there specifically for me. That shows the strength of their system,” he said.
Pandya joined MI in 2015 as a young prospect and gradually transformed into a match-winning all-rounder. The 32-year-old admitted that the transition from a pure batsman to an all-rounder was not easy and required a lot of adaptation, especially in terms of fitness and body management.
“I had to adapt. I had no idea how to take care of my body or what it takes to be an all-rounder. All I knew was to work hard and that helped me get through the difficult stages,” he said, urging young cricketers to be disciplined.
Now set to lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 for the third consecutive year, Pandya made his ambitions clear: to win a sixth Indian Premier League (IPL) title for the franchise.
“My biggest dream is to win the IPL for the sixth time for MI. The franchise already has an incredible legacy, but I want us to play the best cricket Mumbai Indians have ever played and win as many trophies as possible,” he said drawing loud applause from the fans, whom he praised for their unwavering support in good and bad times.
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Pollard, who has watched Pandya’s journey closely, credits him with inspiring the next generation of MI players. “The bravery and youthful exuberance of the young players excites me. When Hardik came into the squad, he worked hard and produced results on the field. The next generation is seeing that and coming in without fear – that’s what Mumbai Indians are all about,” Pollard said.