Hardik Pandya has been a prominent all-rounder for the Men in Blue for almost a decade (X.com/@hardikpandya7)
Hardik Himanshu Pandya is a name synonymous with “comeback is always stronger than the setback”. One of the premier all-rounders, the Indian soil has ever produced. A fierce batter and a dependable bowler, Pandya’s stature has grown immensely over the years.
His story consists of several stumbling blocks. From injuries to an ugly divorce to on-ground humiliation by fans, Pandya’s rise to prominence is a case of perseverance and self-belief.
Having said that, take a look at Hardik Pandya’s cricket career in-depth.
Sports Career of Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has had a remarkable career so far (X.com/@hardikpandya7)
Born on 11 October 1993, Hardik Pandya’s early life has been full of hardships. The Hardik Pandya, aka ‘Kung Fu Pandya,’ we know now was a young aspiring cricketer born in a middle-class family in Choryasi, Surat, Gujarat. His late father, Himanshu Pandya, ran a small car finance business.
To provide for his two sons, Hardik and Krunal, the right facilities to achieve their dream of playing cricket at the highest level, Himanshu and his family relocated to Vadodara and started to work as a loan consultant. Here begins Hardik’s sporting career, enrolling in Kiran More’s Cricket Academy.
Once considered “a kid with attitude problems” at the age level of cricket, Pandya became one of the most animated and confident cricketers of all time.
Hardik Pandya's International Career
Pandya made his international debut in 2016 (X.com/@hardikpandya7)
Having won a lot of matches single-handedly in club cricket, Hardik Pandya made his domestic debut for Baroda in 2013. His dominance in white-ball cricket started to appear with his vital role in Baroda’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph in the 2013-14 season.
His contribution to his state’s performance in the shorter format of the game helped gain the Mumbai Indians’ attention. After being bought for 10 Lakhs, Hardik made his IPL debut in 2015. He has been a part of many MI wins in the IPL and has led the Gujarat Titans to their maiden and only IPL trophy.
Moving to his international career, Hardik Pandya secured a spot in the Indian T20I squad on 27 January 2016 at the age of 22. Ever since his debut, he has been a constant name in the shortest format of the Men in Blue, even winning the national captaincy for a while.
Pandya has been a part of all three formats and has played a crucial part in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy 2025, and three Asia Cup wins.
Hardik Pandya's T20I Career
After dominating the Indian domestic circuit, SMAT and IPL contribution in his debut season, all-rounder Hardik Pandya made his international debut playing his maiden T20I against Australia in 2016. Starting his career under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, he was backed to bowl crucial overs under pressure. Showing his true character, Pandya stood out and delivered with unexpected performances.
Years later, Hardik Pandya stands firm as the NO.1-ranked T20I all-rounder in ICC player rankings. Currently, the flamboyant cricketer plays a key role in the Indian setup. Used as a front-line bowler and expected to go berserk with the bat, he is a complete package.
Hardik Pandya's ODI Career
After an impressive debut in the T20Is, Hardik’s caliber was duly rewarded with inclusion in the ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand in 2016. The exposure to the longer format helped and required him to work on his swing and longevity as a bowler.
A bowler who can bowl around 140kph and shift his line and length according to the batter and pitch, Hardik Pandya started receiving comparisons with the first Indian World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev. However, he simultaneously suffered condemnation for his misogynistic remarks about women on a talk show.
In 2019, after recovering from a back injury, the all-rounder became the much-needed balance in the Men in Blue ahead of the ODI World Cup. Nonetheless, a flurry of injuries eclipsed his career and revealed a need for workload management for the lanky all-rounder.
Hardik Pandya Test career
Despite a brief outing in the longest format for the Men in White, playing only 11 games between 2016 and 2019, Pandya’s Test career ended soon. Not because of his performances, but because he is prone to injury. Confirmed by then India head coach Ravi Shastri, Pandya’s back injury was incurred during the 2018 Sri Lanka series, caused the end of a promising career.
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Hardik Pandya IPL Career
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Hardik Pandya IPL Career (X.com/@hardikpandya7)
Due to his admirable performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2015 for Baroda, Hardik Pandya received a well-deserved place in the Mumbai Indians’ squad in 2016. Then began the late times, a wiry young boy from a small town in Gujarat soon became a sensation due to his flamboyant personality and ferocious cricket skills.
Pandya played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL from 2015 to 2021. In 2022, the all-rounder was unexpectedly released by the MI management and found a place in the newly formed Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. The change proved to be partially effective for him, being handed over the captaincy in his maiden time for GT.
Leading Gujarat to their first IPL title in 2022, Hardik gained a newfound reputation as an astonishing captain.
After a brief stint with the Ahmedabad-based franchise, Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians after two seasons with the Gujarat Titans in an all-cash trade deal. However, it wasn’t too easy for him to return, replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain. Fans’ disapproval of him in the new role, MI’s below-par performance, and an ugly divorce, all mixed, created a very terrible time for the young lad.
Hardik Pandya's Domestic Career
Hardik Pandya's first-class career
The Indian cricketer has played 29 first-class matches, scoring 1,351 runs with a highest score of 108 and taking 48 wickets with best figures of 5/28. He made his first-class debut for Baroda in the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy, playing a significant role in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win in his second season.
Hardik Pandya List A career
Premier all-rounder Hardik Pandya has played 118 List A matches, scoring 3,934 runs at an average of approximately 30.80 and a strike rate of about 86.03, with a highest score of 92 against Australia. He also took 118 List A wickets, with best figures of 8/33 against Australia.
FAQs - Hardik Pandya Career
Q.1. What is the best in the career of Hardik Pandya?
Ans. Making his international debut in 2016, Hardik Pandya has been a premier all-rounder for the Men in Blue. Over the years, he has provided the Indian side the much needed ballance with the balla nd bat alike. At present he is the top-ranked all-rounder in ICC T20 rankings.
Q.2. When did Hardik Pandya start his career?
Ans. Hardik Pandya made his IPL debut in the year 2015, soon he received his maiden India call up in 2016.
Q.3. Who saved Hardik Pandya's career?
Ans. Hardik Pandya is a testament of self-belief and unmatched level of confidence. His career might have always been covered by the black clouds of controversies but with perseverance he has always managed to revive his career.
Q.4. Did GT retain Hardik?
Ans. In the IPL 2024 Mega Auction, Gujarat Titans traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash trade.
