Early Life
Born on October 11, 1993 in Surat, Gujarat, Hardik Pandya is a renowned Indian cricketer. His love for cricket stems from his father Himanshu Pandya who was an avid lover of the sport and groomed him alongside his older brother Krunal to become professional cricketers.
Professional Career
Pandya’s professional career started when he caught the eye of former Indian cricketer Kiran More at the age of 5. He further honed his skills at Kiran More International Academy. In 2013, he got selected by the Mumbai Indians franchisee in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but spent that entire season on the bench. However, he finally made a splash in 2014 when he scored a quickfire 21 runs off just eight balls against Chennai Super Kings.
Making Of A Star
The all-rounder truly emerged as a star during the 2015 IPL edition where he bagged three crucial wickets in one league match apart from making notable contributions with the bat. Later that year, Hardik debuted for India “A” against Australia “A” team where once again he stole the limelight with both bat and ball. Soon after, he earned a call-up to play for India’s senior national team.
International Career
In January 2016, Hardik made his maiden appearance for Team India against Australia wherein he took two wickets. Not long after, Pandya delivered a blistering performance in Asia Cup T20 tournament which solidified his place in India’s World T20 squad. Since then, he has been consistently contributing towards team victories through his aggressive style of cricket coupled with sublime bowling skills.
Personal Life
Aside from cricket, Hardik loves to experiment with his style off-field and has established himself as a fashion icon. In 2020, he married Serbian actress Natasa Stankovic and they have a son together named Agastya.
The Pandya Brand
Beyond sport, the charismatic personality of Pandya stands him out as a brand. From featuring in various advertisements to owning luxury cars and endorsing popular brands, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that Hardik Pandya is leaving an indelible imprint both on and off-field.
