India all-rounder reminisced how MS Dhoni assured him of a spot in the World Cup squad, despite a poor start to international career.
MS Dhoni, the only captain to have won the ODI and T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, will go down as one of the game’s greatest leaders. While he was known for his immense tactical awareness, especially in limited-overs cricket, Dhoni also played a key role in grooming young talents while at helm for India, who would go on to become global superstars.
The prime examples are Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, who were given an extended run and the confidence despite an underwhelming start to their respective international careers, and are now India’s much sought after all-format stalwarts.
Back in 2016, Hardik Pandya made his international debut during India’s three-match T20I series on the Australia tour. Having impressed with his all-round show in Mumbai Indians’ title-winning IPL 2015 campaign, and in domestic cricket thereafter, Hardik discovered the stiff challenges of international cricket quite early.
“That six [MS Dhoni’s 2011 WC final six] inspired me and I always feel that in every match, I can hit a six like that.”
Kiran Navgire sure can smash it a mile. Last night, she smoked an 89m six in the #WomensT20Challenge.
More on her ⬇️https://t.co/xHD96B7LU2
— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) May 27, 2022
In his first outing at the Adelaide Oval, Hardik delivered five wides in his first over, three on the trot to begin with, before being smashed for a six and a four by Aaron Finch and Steve Smith respectively to take the over tally to 19. Chris Lynn launched him for another huge six later in his spell, before he redeemed himself with two wickets to return 2/37 from three overs. He returned 1/17 and 0/24 from two overs each in the subsequent outings, but hadn’t lost his confidence still, thanks to his skipper.
Hardik revealed, how he was assured of a spot in the T20 World Cup 2016 squad, which was less than two months away at that point.
“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,” Hardik recalled on SGTV podcast.
“Even before I played for India, they were the stars. For me, when I went there it was a big thing. 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 a lot of trust in us which has helped us reach where we did.
“Just after the third game of my international career, Mahi bhai told me you will be in the World Cup team. So for me, to play in the 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.”
Hardik would go on to deliver match-winning spells of 3/8 and 2/27 against Pakistan and Sri Lanka during India’s victorious Asia Cup 2016, while also striking 31 off 18 against Bangladesh.
He bowled the final over of the famous T20 WC 2016 thriller against Bangladesh in Bangalore, where his and Dhoni’s brilliance helped India secure a thrilling one-run win, which appeared virtually impossible with two required off three.
After several ups and downs since, Hardik led Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 triumph in just their first season of participation recently, and will now feature in India’s upcoming five-match home T20I series against South Africa, beginning Thursday, June 9, in Delhi.
