Hardik Pandya Turns 30: Star India All-rounder’s Career and Affection for MS Dhoni

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARDIK PANDYA: From hitting monstrous sixes to picking up wickets in crunch situations, Hardik Pandya has been Team India’s go-to guy in white-ball cricket in recent times. In his international career, which has been marred by injury issues, Pandya has scored 18 half centuries and a century. As Pandya celebrates his 30th birthday today, we take a deep dive into his career and cricketing journey.

Cricket Career

In domestic cricket, Hardik Pandya kicked off his career with the Baroda cricket team.

He made his international debut at the age of 22 in a T20I game against Australia in January 2016. Hardik had a memorable outing in that game as he scalped two wickets in his three-over spell.

WATCH: 10 Photos Of Hardik Pandya And Natasa Stankovic

Hardik made his ODI debut against New Zealand in Dharmshala later that year in October. He was brilliant in that game as well, claiming three wickets while giving away only three runs in seven overs.

Since then, Hardik has donned the Team India on several big occasions including the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cup.

In the limited overs format, Hardik has scored more than 3000 runs with 153 wickets under his belt. He was a major contributor to India’s 2023 Asia Cup triumph earlier this year. Hardik is currently representing India at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Led Gujarat Titans to IPL Title

Hardik proved his leadership abilities after earning Gujarat Titans’ maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2022. However, this Hardik-led Gujarat lost to Chennai Super Kings. In his IPL career so far, Hardik has played 123 matches. In those games, he has scored 2309 runs and has scalped 53 wickets.

His Affection For MS Dhoni

Hardik has often spoken about how legendary India captain MS Dhoni played a massive role in his career as a leader and mentor. Hardik talked about how the World Cup-winning skipper helped him overcome intense pressure situations in the game while speaking to BCCI.tv.

This is what he had to say, as quoted by the ICC, “He gave me very simple advice, ‘Stop thinking about your score and start to think of what your team requires’. So, that lesson has stuck in my mind”.

Hardik had also mentioned that one has to be a ‘Proper Devil’ to speak ill about Dhoni. Hardik even spoke about how he ‘learnt a lot from him [MS Dhoni]’ as a finisher. Hardik has always been vocal about his fondness for the Chennai Super Kings skipper.

Personal life

Hardik Pandya was born into a middle-class family in Surat, Gujarat on October 11, 1993. Hardik’s father, Himanshu Pandya ran a small car finance business. Hardik’s father passed away in January 2021 due to a cardiac arrest.

Hardik’s brother Krunal Pandya is also an international cricketer who captains Baroda in domestic cricket. Hardik is married to model Natasa Stankovic. They became parents in 2020.