Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. And, the best thing about time is that it changes. Take Hardik Pandya’s last six months as an example. After making a very interesting rise in the IPL and then at the international level, Hardik soon became India’s go-to player in all three departments of the game. But like always something had to go bad.
Plagued by injuries, a few controversies and a little loss of form. And he was at the receiving end of many experts, fans and the naysayers of the cricketing world. His back injury has been a big problem for a long time. So much so that he is still playing as a genuine batsman rather than his role of an all-rounder. That was a huge contributor to his overall plight. He was out of the team and a little out of form after such an injury.
Bad Phase
Things were getting bad to worse when he was not retained by Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Yes, we know they could choose only a few players and they wanted to go for him too. But they did have a choice, right? And he was Mumbai Indians’ wonder boy. The player who had won 4 IPL titles with them. And yet he was not retained. And this came as a huge blow and some thought that Hardik Pandya’s promising career might be cut short.
But fate had other plans. The new franchise – Gujarat Titans decided to bet big on Kung Fu Pandya. They decided to make him the captain of their new franchise and Hardik being the local boy from Gujarat also accepted happily. And then coach Ashish Nehra and the rest of the management started shaping their team around him. And the rest as they say is history.
IPL Success
Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to their first IPL trophy in their very first season and for the very first time as a captain. He was the epitome of leadership in the IPL. He played brilliantly both as a player and a leader. With the bat, he took up more responsibility and bailed out his team many times. As a captain he was even better, he marshalled his troops quite brilliantly.
And then after a brilliant IPL, he was rewarded instantly with a call-up back to the national side. And if you have followed the series even remotely, you will know that he was brilliant in the T20 series against South Africa. He is looking brilliant with the bat and the hunger he has shown is tremendous. And he did contribute with the ball as well. But his reading of the game, his game sense and how he has started looking so mature as a player is simply outstanding.
It took a lot of practice. A lot of sweat, blood & tears. He used to train at 4:00 am. For a guy who is so extravagant and flamboyant, he started sleeping very early and started waking up at 4 just to train. He used to monitor his diet, work on his game and train his heart out on the field. He wanted to make a come-back. He was desperate for it. Maybe that is what hunger is.
The Epic Come-back
As you sow, so shall you reap. And now all his efforts have paid off. He has been selected as India’s captain for India’s tour to Ireland. So from being out of the team and struck-by injuries and bad form, Hardik Pandya has come back successfully to become India’s Captain and an IPL winner.
How’s that for motivation?
So next time you think it’s all over, think again!
And if you still need inspiration, just think of how Hardik Pandya did it, and then maybe you can too.
