Since a horror season as Mumbai Indians’ (MI) captain last year, Hardik Pandya‘s life on the field has turned around in remarkable fashion, landing him the honour of being part of India’s triumphant T20 World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy teams. And the star all-rounder is ready to extend that turnaround to the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he would want to leave a forgettable last-place finish in 2024 behind and lead the team by example.
MI will open their campaign this season against fellow five-time winners Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Sunday.
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The negative response Hardik encountered in IPL 2024 stemmed from the franchise’s choice to appoint him as captain, succeeding fan-favourite Rohit Sharma, who had steered the team to five titles. Those jeers escalated after MI finished at the bottom of the league table.
“For me, it has always been about never leaving the battlefield. There have been phases in my career where my focus wasn’t necessarily on winning but on surviving and holding my ground,” Hardik said while talking to ‘JioHotstar’ ahead of the IPL starting March 22.
“I realised that no matter what was happening around me, cricket would always be my greatest ally…I kept pushing through, and when all the hard work finally paid off, it was beyond anything I could have scripted.
“The six-month phase where we won the (T20) World Cup, and then the kind of love and support I received upon returning — it was a complete 360-degree turnaround for me,” the 31-year-old Hardik added.
“I didn’t know exactly when that would happen, but as they say, destiny had its plan, and in my case, everything changed within two and a half months.”
He had a message for the youngsters, urging them to be patient with themselves whatever the situation.
“…Believe in yourself…the biggest challenge at this stage is self-doubt. Sometimes, players start questioning whether they belong at this level, and that doubt can take away from their skill set. Managing that mental aspect is crucial,” he said.
“In this game, there will be highs and lows. The key is to remain balanced, not just for one season but throughout their careers.”
Hardik made significant contributions alongside Mohammed Shami, particularly with the new ball, during India’s successful Champions Trophy campaign, while Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable.
Despite MI’s disappointing performance in the 2024 IPL season, Hardik expressed confidence in the team’s prospects. He believes that MI managed to assemble a balanced squad at the mega auction last November.
“Having played in the IPL for almost 11 years now, each season brings new energy and fresh positivity. The 2024 season was undoubtedly challenging for us as a group, but it also provided invaluable lessons,” the MI captain said.
“We analysed those learnings and applied them while building our team for 2025. This time, we have assembled an experienced squad — players who have played a lot of cricket at the highest level. That in itself is exciting.
“Playing in the IPL in Mumbai, particularly at Wankhede, can be intimidating due to the high-scoring nature of the pitch. We wanted bowlers with experience, pace, and the ability to generate swing and bounce. I believe we have put together a well-balanced team, one that meets all our requirements from top to bottom. Now it’s about turning up and delivering on the field,” he added.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
