Hardik Pandya

Personal details 

Hardik Pandya Recent Matches 

Batting Stats 

Bowling stats 

Teams 

• Baroda
• India A
• Mumbai Indians
• Indian Board President’s XI
• India
• Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya News

Cricket

2 hours

Hardik Pandya to Shakib al Hasan: Top 5 all-rounders for

Cricket

12 hours

No Hardik, Surya, Rinku or Jaiswal in India’s T20 World Cup

Cricket

1 day

No Hardik Pandya, Virender Sehwag includes Sandeep Sharma

Cricket

13 hours

Under fire Hardik Pandya must shine in IPL for T20 World

Cricket

2 days

‘This needs to change’: Irfan Pathan calls for leadership

About Hardik Pandya

Perhaps the only name in Indian cricket that is more important than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma or even Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable. He can bat at a blazing 150 strike rate and can bowl at 145kph, making him the only proper seam-bowling all-rounder India have had since Kapil Dev. 

Born on 11th October 1993, Hardik Pandya is currently 30 years old. Originating from a humble background in Surat, Gujarat, his journey to becoming a cricket sensation has been nothing short of inspiring. Pandya’s father, Himanshu Pandya, played a pivotal role in nurturing his cricketing talents, often taking him and his brother Krunal to cricket training sessions.

The Baroda player did not have to toil long in domestic cricket before he was scouted by Mumbai Indians. And it changed his life. It was his 31-ball 61-run knock for Mumbai Indians back in 2015 that forced everyone to take notice. And by 2016 January, he made his debut for India. 

With MS Dhoni leading the team, he thrived and soon became an all-format player with no backup in sight. That Hardik Pandya provides any team he plays for the balance makes him the first name on the teamsheet. 

Hardik Pandya Career Highlights 

• Made his T20 international debut against Australia in 2016.
• Scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in 2017, an innings of 108 runs.
• First Indian to score over 1000 runs and take more than 30 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2017.
• His highest score in T20 Internationals is 42 not out.
• In Test cricket, he has taken 5 wickets in an innings, with his best figures being 5 for 28.
• In ODIs, his best bowling figures are 3 for 31.
• In T20 Internationals, his best bowling figures are 4 for 38.
• Played a crucial role in the 2019 World Cup match against New Zealand with an impressive 32-run knock, despite a challenging pitch

Hardik Pandya Awards 

• Arjuna Award (2019)
• Man of the Match in IPL Final (2019)
• Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Gujarat Titans (2023)
• Forbes India 30 under 30 (2021)
• Sportstar Aces Sportsman of the Year 2023

Career 

Domestic career 

Hardik’s breakthrough came when he was selected to play for Baroda in domestic cricket. His exceptional performance caught the attention of the Mumbai Indians team in the IPL, propelling him into the national spotlight. This was the springboard for his international career, which began when he was called to play for India in 2016. Since then, Hardik Pandya has continued to impress with his all-around skills and match-winning performances, carving a niche for himself in the world of cricket.

IPL Career 

Hardik Pandya’s IPL journey began in 2015 with Mumbai Indians, a team he continues to represent with great enthusiasm. His debut season showed glimpses of his explosive batting and effective bowling. Notably, his match-winning innings of 61 runs off just 31 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders made everyone sit up and take notice of this talented all-rounder.

In subsequent seasons, Pandya continued to excel, providing thrilling moments with both bat and ball. His highest IPL score, a blazing 91 off 34 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019, remains one of his most memorable performances. As a bowler, he’s claimed crucial wickets, with his best figures being 3 for 17 against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 final.

But not just an all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has excelled as a leader too. With Mumbai Indians making a mistake by not retaining him ahead of IPL 2022 Auction, new franchise Gujarat Titans jumped at the opportunity. And he was an instant success. 

Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to title in their debut season. All that when he was returning from a six-month injury layoff. He bowled at 140KPH, took 8 wickets at an economy rate of 7.28, scored 487 runs at a strike rate of 131.27. In his secon year as the captain, he led Gujarat Titans to the final, scoring 346 runs and bagging three wickets the whole tournament. 

Now, in IPL 2024, he will lead Mumbai Indians after replacing the most successful IPL captain Rohit Sharma. 

IPL year-wise (Batting)

IPL Year-wise (Bowling)

International career 

Hardik Pandya’s international debut was a much-anticipated event in the cricketing world. His entry was marked by a T20 match against Australia in 2016, where he showcased his skill and mettle on the global stage. From his first bowl, Pandya displayed exceptional talent, striking the perfect balance between aggression and composure. His all-around cricketing prowess, particularly his hard-hitting batting style and dynamic bowling, left an indelible impression.

In his initial matches, he demonstrated not only his cricketing skills but also his ability to handle pressure, often delivering match-winning performances when it mattered most. Pandya’s performances in these first few games solidified his place in the team and signaled the start of a promising international career. His entry into international cricket was not just a personal triumph, but also a proud moment for Indian cricket.

Test Career 

Although marred by injuries, Hardik Pandya left a lasting impact in Test cricket including his only century in India colours in Pallekele against Sri Lanka. He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in the same series in 2017 and has only played 11 matches, scoring 532 runs and bagging 17 wickets. 

Pandya’s Test career, though promising, is a tale of flashes of brilliance amidst inconsistent spells. His maiden ton in Sri Lanka marked him as a potential all-rounder hero, but injuries and a shift to white-ball dominance hampered his progress. He’s shown glimpses of his seam-bowling prowess, like his 5-for against England, but hasn’t cemented his place. Now, with renewed fitness and focus, his return to Tests sparks curiosity: can he finally bridge the gap between promise and permanence? Only time will tell. 

ODI Career 

Pandya burst onto the ODI scene with a Man-of-the-Match debut against New Zealand in Dharamsala in 2016. And he was an instant hit as his six-hitting power and athletic fielding turning heads. Though not a consistent batsman, he’s carved a niche as a finisher, rescuing India from tight chases with audacious late innings. His medium-pace swing bowling adds another dimension, chipping in crucial wickets. Injuries have marred his progress, but when fit, he’s a game-changer. 

T20 International Career 

Pandya’s T20I journey is a thrilling roller coaster, a testament to his audacious talent and rollercoaster ride of form. From smashing his way onto the scene in 2016 with blistering cameos and acrobatic fielding, he quickly became India’s “crisis man,” rescuing chases with electrifying batting. His medium pace, with deceptive swing and skid, added another layer, chipping in key wickets. Yet, injuries and off-field controversies threatened to derail his express train. 

Undeterred, Pandya roared back, honing his batting to become a middle-order anchor, capable of both building partnerships and launching late blitzes. His bowling matured, too, evolving into a reliable death-overs option. Now, as captain of the Gujarat Titans, his leadership adds another dimension. Pandya’s T20I career is a captivating saga still being written, a constant tussle between raw talent, setbacks, and a relentless drive to conquer. 

Additional info

Love for tattoos: A true free spirit, Pandya is known for his love of tattoos, each carrying personal meaning. His back tattoo symbolizes his journey from Surat to stardom, depicting a lion protecting his family.

Controversy: In 2019, Pandya faced controversy during the Koffee with Karan show. BCCI suspended the all-rounder for two weeks for making sexist remarks on the show. The ban was later lifted with a warning.

Hardik Pandya Family 

A well and truly family man, Hardik Pandya credits his father Himanshu Pandya for his success. His father shifted the family to Vadodara for better training facilities. Sadly, he passed away in 2021.

Hardik’s wife, Natasa Stankovic, a Serbian actress, is his rock. They got engaged in 2020 and welcomed their son Agastya the same year. They renewed their vows in a fairytale ceremony in 2023.