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In a fascinating revelation, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya recently made a candid appearance on a chat show with YouTube streamer UK 07 Rider. This rare public interaction provided fans with glimpses into both his professional and private life.
Return to the pitch and leadership role
After recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh, Pandya marked his return to competitive cricket in the DY Patil T20 Cup 2024 for Reliance. Furthermore, he is set to lead the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, following a high-profile trade from Gujarat Titans (GT).
Hilarious IPL memory
During the chat, Pandya shared a humorous anecdote from his early IPL days. He recalled a moment related to his first Player-of-the-Match award when he believed that the prize money associated with the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy solely went to the player who received the accolade.
“I thought a player who is awarded as man of the match receives all the money. So when I won the MOM, I thought that the money was for me, but then I learnt that it gets divided among the team. After all, it is a team sport,” Pandya said.
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Revelation of introversion
In a more introspective revelation, Pandya further disclosed that he has transformed into an introverted person in recent years. The 30-year-old cricketer admitted to spending the past few years mostly within the confines of his home, venturing out only when absolutely necessary.
“One thing my fans don’t know about me is that I don’t go out now. I have hardly been out in the last two to three years; the only occasions I have stepped out is when it has been unavoidable. I like to stay at home. There was this time when I did not step out for 50 days and remained at home, and I never had a problem,” the MI skipper concluded.
IPL 2024 and Mumbai Indians
With the IPL 2024 schedule unveiled by the BCCI, MI, under Pandya’s leadership, are gearing up for their first game against his former team, GT, on March 24 in Ahmedabad. This match promises to be a captivating clash, featuring Pandya against his previous franchise.