TimesofIndia.com in Delhi: In Egyptian mythology, Atum is the primordial creator deity who arose from chaotic waters, bringing himself into existence earlier than creating the remainder of the world. In easier phrases, Atum created himself. This is not a mythological story within the flawed part. It’s in regards to the rise, grind and survival of India’s premier all-rounder, the MVP of white-ball cricket: Hardik Pandya.Chaos and Hardik Pandya go hand-in-hand but the cricketer has managed to battle the chances, shut out the skin noise and battle steady in opposition to notion.
The quirky hairdos, quite a few tattoos, a novel dressing fashion, flashy automobiles and the meanest assortment of unique watches. They love him for cricket, query his decisions, and troll him for his private life. But, that one look leaves an enduring impression and a heat that immediately makes you are feeling at residence. Hate him, troll him however you may’t ignore him. Pandya is the heartbeat of India’s white-ball set-up and the essential piece that has saved the scales in stability since 2016.Nevertheless, 2016 is just not the important thing yr within the Pandya story. It was the 2013-14 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and John Wright was watching one in every of Baroda’s video games from the stands. The then Mumbai Indians head coach was scouting native expertise for the franchise and it was that first look of Pandya that left an enduring impression on the New Zealander. It occurred over a decade in the past however the 71-year-old remembers the small print as in the event that they occurred yesterday.“I watched him for every week within the numerous video games at BKC. He did not get a whole lot of runs, however he had an perspective. He saved attempting to hit it over the boundary and assault. We tried to signal him that yr solely as we had a spot in our squad. I feel Jalaj Saxena acquired injured and we might have changed him, however Hardik picked up a again damage, so we could not. He got here to nets at Wankhede and bowled and batted. After which he acquired injured, so we could not pay money for him that yr.
AHMEDABAD, INDIA – JUNE 01: Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians catches out Priyansh Arya of Punjab Kings in the course of the 2025 IPL Qualifier 2 match between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium, on June 01, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photograph by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Photographs)
“We acquired him the following yr. I used to be fortunate, , as a result of I performed in opposition to Kiran (Extra) and Kiran and I’ve been mates for years. And he knew a bit about him, however I cherished his perspective. Yeah. I will always remember that clip of his hip – like Virender Sehwag, which, , typically it is only a shot that you just see. That was 2014, he performed for us from 2015 and began successful titles with us,” Wright tells TimesofIndia.com from New Zealand.Pandya’s entry into the MI setup meant he shared the dressing room with absolute legends of the sport. In that dugout, he discovered mentors and coaches and fashioned bonds that stay sturdy. Kieron Pollard‘s entry into his life stays a defining second of Pandya’s profession. Within the West Indian all-rounder, Pandya discovered somebody he might relate with, converse to and be taught from. Whereas these classes went past cricket, the courses did not begin immediately however the early confidence was one thing which stayed with Pollard for a few years.
I simply hope and pray sooner or later that we proceed to recollect Hardik Pandya for what he has really finished on the cricket subject. Slightly than the costly watches and the automobiles and all that
Kieron Pollard
“My first considered him, once more, somebody who’s excited, somebody who had that youthful type of exuberance coming into type of the unknown world, however nonetheless simply being himself. And once more, I feel that’s what took me aback as a result of usually when guys are available right into a setup like a MI, they’re usually shy. However he wasn’t shy. He was assured. And I feel that was what, , took me,” says Pollard in an unique chat.Whereas the primary impression was excellent, Pollard took it simple with the younger all-rounder. He wasn’t wanting too far forward however the second he noticed Pandya navigate by means of the lows of his profession, he decided. The West Indian was satisfied that Pandya has the “true mettle” to excel on the large stage and “made for the massive occasions.”
File photograph of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard.
“I feel it took a few years for me to really make that willpower when it comes to ‘he is minimize out for it’ as a result of he had highs after which he had some lows. And that is the place you may really see the true mettle of a person as a result of it tends to occur. You will have a one good season after which that is it for some guys. However the method by which he went by means of his highs and lows, is type of proof to myself that he has what it takes. And once more, for us, we spent a whole lot of time collectively. “He spent a whole lot of time chatting about cricket, about life, , brains and stuff like that. And so all of these items as nicely, after it has been taken in and you then see the expressiveness on the sphere, once more, that is if you actually realise, okay, this man, he is made for the massive occasions,” explains Pollard.Throughout his early days within the MI set-up, Wright seen the rising closeness between Pandya and Pollard, and noticed the friendship blossom right into a particular bond. It rubbed off on the cricket too because the veteran coach nonetheless feels that the “greatest teaching comes out of your co-players”.
I feel they love one another’s firm. They’re nice mates. He realized an terrible lot from Kieran Pollard
John Wright
“I feel one of many issues that stands out is that they have been nice mates. They appeared to get on rather well. And clearly, enjoying collectively that relationship helped. The very best teaching comes very often out of your co-players. From the mates within the workforce. You is usually a coach, however one of the best teaching comes out of your teammates. It is an old style means of studying. But it surely’s most likely one of the best and strongest. “As an example, when within the Indian workforce, Anil Kumble’s affect on our spin bowlers was enormous. Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman’s affect on different batters was large. I feel as a coach, you’ll want to create that setting in order that the gamers are studying off one another. And I feel that has occurred with Polly. However I feel they love one another’s firm. They’re nice mates. He realized an terrible lot from Kieran Pollard,” says Wright.In his quite a few interactions, Pandya has all the time referred to as Pollard because the brother from one other mom. The bond between the 2 stays particular, and Pandya maintains that his Caribbean outlook on life regularly attracts him to Pollard. When Hardik’s brother Krunal entered the MI set-up, the trio immediately clicked and collectively turned the franchise’s heartbeat for a few years – serving to them win titles and dominate the IPL. In Pollard’s phrases, they have been the “actual engine room” of the setup. Relating to the Caribbean outlook, Pollard would not limit it to music and elegance.“We are likely to affiliate that with Caribbean and West Indian music and elegance. However we even have that satisfaction and that zeal as nicely for efficiency. As quickly as you do not carry out, individuals have a look at what you are doing. That is precisely from a Hardik perspective. That is precisely what has occurred to him. He attire properly, he is there, he likes himself, he likes to look good. He has that aptitude. Folks are likely to attempt to use that in opposition to him. As a result of they do not have that confidence. That is what occurred. So that’s sure issues that may resonate with myself,” says Pollard.Pollard and Pandya spent quite a few late nights and early mornings within the resort corridors, and it wasn’t simply enjoyable and video games. It was about life, cricket and the whole lot that occurs in between. Throughout his lively enjoying days, Pollard was all the time recognized to close out the skin noise and converse his thoughts. It is an artwork that takes years to grasp however with Pollard’s phrases of knowledge, Pandya had an early bootcamp that ready him for the quite a few battles life, and cricket, had in retailer for him.“I feel it was simply one of many conversations and one in every of understanding who can have an effect on you and who you enable to have an effect on you. If that you just’re doing the whole lot that you’ll want to carry out on a cricket subject, and it isn’t occurring, it is okay as a result of it is a sport, it is a sport, you are feeling so much, proper?. However should you enable individuals who cannot even choose up a bat or a ball or who solely have an opinion as a result of they’re watching knowledge to have an effect on you, that is the place the issue is.
Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians appears on throughout heat up at Narendra Modi Stadium. (Getty Photographs)
“My cricket will converse for me. And if my cricket would not converse for me right now, it is over. I will get it to talk for me tomorrow. And that’s the mentality I’ve had and that’s the mentality that we type of drill the conversations. As a result of individuals are likely to say issues however we will management what we will management. We do not dwell it. However if you begin to dwell it mentally, you get stronger,” Pollard reveals the conversations he had with Pandya to mentally put together him for the battles.Through the years, Pandya has been labelled as fragile and injury-prone, with little or no appreciation for the relentless grind of a premier all-rounder. He is not only a bits-and-pieces cricketer; he is a freak who can break into any XI purely on the premise of his batting or bowling. Profession threatening accidents and surgical procedures later, Pandya continues to go sturdy and has already performed 131 T20Is and 94 ODIs for the nation. And he isn’t finished but!“He would have been instructed a whole lot of issues. He would not have the ability to bowl once more. His physique’s not sturdy. Who’re you to say one thing like that? In case you’re not the skilled. So if you realise that these are simply phrases and individuals are utilizing phrases to perhaps create an agenda. Simply channel your vitality to say, okay. In case you inform me I can not, I’ll present you I can. That is precisely, , what he did through the years. As I mentioned, it has not been simple for him. And an individual like that. And dwelling in India. The media goes to make use of that as a goal. “So that is the consequence that comes with the general of that way of life. However you’ve got to have the ability to be sturdy sufficient to beat it. I imagine he has been sturdy sufficient to beat it. Who says they are not going to have extra? As a result of life is like, life is a life factor. However he has the, he has now the template to beat it. That is it,” says Pollard.
Hardik Pandya and associate Mahieka Sharma.
Flashy wraps on the automotive, costly watches and an envious way of life. Whereas Pollard would not purchase a lot of the issues – exhuberantely priced watches particularly – which Pandya does however he’s an incredidbly proud “brother from one other mom” to see the story unfold from shut quarters. Pollard understands that feeling of successful a World Cup for the nation, giving greater than 100% in matches and through preparations however hopes Pandya is remembered for “what he has finished on the sphere”“I simply hope and pray sooner or later that we proceed to recollect Hardik Pandya for what he has really finished on the cricket subject. Slightly than the costly watches and the automobiles and all that, as a result of that tends to come back first. As cricket tends to come back second within the media world. For what he has finished from a cricketing perspective and whiteball cricket, Doing what he did particularly after the place he got here from, the assist he had from household – we should not neglect that. The journey has been phenomenal and lengthy it might proceed,” says Pollard.Earlier than disconnecting the decision, Pollard remembered to laud his red-ball outings for India too. The present notion is that Pandya would not need to play Check cricket for India anymore however identical to Atum, he’s decided to rise from chaotic waters.
