'My Focus Wasn't Necessarily On Winning But...': Hardik Pandya Opens Up On IPL 2024 Backlash

'My Focus Wasn't Necessarily On Winning But...': Hardik Pandya Opens Up On IPL 2024 Backlash

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Last Updated: March 17, 2025, 14:11 IST

Mumbai Indians captain and star allrounder Hardik Pandya says his aim was to keep fighting despite the turmoil.

Hardik Pandya has won two IPL titles in the space of 10 months. (PTI Photo)

Hardik Pandya is enjoying the adulation coming his way following India’s two successive ICC title triumphs. The allrounder played a vital role in the team’s historic triumphs at the T20 World Cup last year and Champions Trophy earlier this month. It has been quite a turnaround for Pandya who was being booed by a section of fans during the IPL 2024 – his first season with Mumbai Indians as their full-time captain.

To make matters worse, MI endured a forgettable season, finishing last on the points table – their second such finish in three seasons. Pandya had a middling season himself, scoring 216 runs and taking 11 wickets from 14 games.

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During the testing phase, the 31-year-old made sure he “never left the battlefield" and at times, he wasn’t looking to win but to just hold his ground.

“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," Pandya said on JioHotstar.

“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 World Cup, and then the kind of love and support I received upon returning — it was a complete 360-degree turnaround for me," he added.

Pandya was confident of a turnaround.

“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 said.

Pandya says the team has learned lessons from the challenging last season and used them to build a fresh squad at the two-day IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah.

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“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," he 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," he added.

First Published: March 17, 2025, 14:11 IST

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