Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Hardik Pandya has worked hard after injury issues to lead his team to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 trophy and eventually a place in the India squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, kicking off at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, June 10.
Ahead of their series opener, the all-rounder opened up on his time with the national team prior to his injury issues, recalling the support that he received from former skipper MS Dhoni after making his debut back in 2016. The 28-year-old made his T20I and ODI debut in 2016 and the following year made his Test debut as well. His debut came against current T20 World Champions Australia in 2016.
Hardik gave away 21 runs in his first over, but Dhoni kept his faith in Hardik and gave him another opportunity as the bowler finished his innings with two wickets in three overs. Although Hardik didn't get a chance to bat during the T20I series against Australia, an impressed Dhoni guaranteed the all-rounder a place in India's World Cup squad.
"Just after the third game of my international career, Mahi Bhai told me you will be the World Cup team. So for me, to play World Cup or to get to know that in the third game I just got to know about this. I did not even bat in that game but he assured me that you have expressed yourself. Yeah, it was just a dream come true," he told SGTV podcast.
Hardik recalled the support he received from India legend MS Dhoni, saying he feels lucky and blessed to have played under his leadership. "When I joined the Indian team, I saw guys whom I had seen growing up Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ashish Nehra. Even before I played for India, they were the stars. For me, when I went there it was a big thing," he said.
"So obviously the kind of debut I had I think I am the first cricketer who had gone for 21 runs in his first over I genuinely felt that ok, this might be my last over. But I was very blessed and lucky to play under Mahi bhai who showed lot of trust in us which has helped us reach where we did," he added.
