Published: Jan 07, 2016, 05:50 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 19, 2016, 12:39 PM (IST)
Indian selectors surprised all with some of the choices they made while selecting squad for the tour of Australia. India’s trusted man in limited-overs cricket Suresh Raina was not preferred, and the veterans in Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh got the calls. If there are these venerable men, there are a few youngsters as well. The names like Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Barinder Sran may sound new to a vast number of Indian cricket fans, but those who follow the Indian Premier League (IPL) religiously, can easily associate with Baroda and Mumbai Indians’ cricketer, Hardik Pandya. ALSO READ: Sachin Tendulkar said I would play for India: Hardik Pandya
It took mere two seasons for Pandya to complete his journey from the annals of Indian domestic cricket to the national side, as he was selected for the three-match Twenty20 series Down Under. His selection becomes furthermore important because the ICC World T20 2016 is just a few months away.
The lanky all-rounder from Baroda — whose forte lies in batting — first came to prominence when he guided Baroda to an improbable win in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2012-13 match against Maharashtra. But it was in the next season, when the limited-overs-specialist-in-making made real mark. Batting at No. 4, he lifted Baroda to a respectable 144 against Mumbai with a 57-ball 82, studded with four sixes and six boundaries. ALSO READ: IPL 2015: Ricky Ponting’s words mean a lot to me, says Hardik Pandya
This was the innings that got Pandya the ticket for the next round.
John Wright, the then Mumbai Indians’ coach was in the stadium when Pandya smashed 82 off 57, and the next coach, Ricky Ponting, had him in the side. Pandya rose through ranks quickly, and it was in IPL 2015 when he proved his mettle, by setting up unlikely wins for Mumbai Indians over Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. For his 8-ball 21 against Chennai, he was given the maximum sixes’ award. In the same season, he scored a crucial 61 not out in the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders. Reportedly, he was titled ‘rockstar’ in the Mumbai Indians’ camp. Sometime during IPL 2015, Pandya reveals, Sachin Tendulkar told him that he can make it to the national side.
But it all began in domestic cricket. Sanath Kumar, who was Baroda’s coach when Pandya started off his cricketing career, believed his strength lay in batting. Sanath even promoted him ahead of veteran Yusuf Pathan. Pandya had flopped trying off-spin while playing U-19 and batting was to be his strong point. ALSO READ: VVS Laxman lauds inclusion of Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya in T20Is for Australia tour of 2015-16
Pandya missed the Ranji Trophy 2013-14 start for Baroda, he was instead playing in an U-23 game in Kerala. But as the tournament progressed, he not only managed to cement his place in the squad but also win the hearts of many experienced cricketers such as Irfan and Yusuf.
Pandya always credits his family, and most importantly, his father Himanshu Pandya for encouraging him to take up cricket.
His coach Ajay Pawar, who also monitors his brother Krunal’s performance in Baroda at Kiran More Cricket Academy, finds Pandya’s aggression in the right manner for the team. He also feels Pandya is the go-to man when the team is under pressure.
In a short span of time, Pandya has come a long way. Riding on his exploits, Pandya has been able to secure an unexpected position in India’s T20 squad for the upcoming Australia Tour. The recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015-16 helped the selectors to get hold of next generation players, and try them out. The ICC World Twenty20 2016 is impending, and Pandya has come into the side at just the right time.
Keeping in mind the amount of T20 cricket which is in the pipeline — ICC World Twenty20 2016 , Asia Cup 2016, series in Australia and the home series against Sri Lanka — it was important for India to opt for explosive players. And by the look of it, there couldn’t have been a better option than Pandya. ALSO READ: Baroda sail into Super League of Mushtaq Ali trophy
Pandya says he is looking forward for Australia tour and new conditions, which will test his abilities. Pandya believes positioning himself in middle order will help India’s woes. The rather shy Pandya – wearing stud in one year and smile on his face always — has started appearing more confident and bold when he speaks in media.
(Shruti Hariharan is Content Writer with CricketCountry. You can follow her on Twitter at @Shruti_2890)
