I don't comment in media, neither does it bother me: Hardik Pandya

As the world is gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, all eyes are on Mumbai Indians' new skipper, Hardik Pandya. Making a successful return to competitive cricket after battling an ankle injury, Pandya recently opened up about his personal life and his unbothered attitude towards social media chatter.

Hardik has been absent from international cricket following his injury during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 which left fans eagerly awaiting his return. The cricketer was traded from Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians and later was named the captain of the side, replacing Rohit Sharma. The cricketer also made his comeback on the cricket field on Monday in the DY Patil T20 Cup 2024 at DY Patil Stadium. This is the first time the MI skipper was seen playing a competitive match post his injury.

Also read: Rohit Sharma fans bring down Hardik Pandya's poster at Mukesh Patel College in Mumbai

I don't go out: Hardik Pandya

In a recent chat show appearance, Hardik provided insights into his life off the cricket field. Contrary to his on-field persona, Pandya revealed himself as a homebody, preferring the comforts of his residence over extravagant outings. 

"One thing my fans don't know about me is that I don't go out. I am a homeboy. I have hardly been out in the last three to four years; the only occasions I have stepped out is when it has been unavoidable, something happened with my friends. I like to stay at home. There was this time when I did not step out of home for 50 days. I did not even see the home lift, I have my home gym and home theatre. The things that I like are in my home," he said on a chat show with the UK 07 rider.

When asked about a viral photo of him circulating on social media driving a sports car, the all-rounder replied by saying that the car was sent to him for a test drive. Hardik stated he stays away from media comments and it does not bother him. "Main kabhi media mein comment karta nahi hu, to maine kabhi kia nahi, na mereko fadak padta hai (I don't comment in media, I have never done it, it does not bother me)," Hardik Pandya said.

He also shared a funny incident about the confusion regarding the 'Man of the Match' award, 

"I thought a player who is awarded as man of the match receives all the money. So when I won the MOM, I thought that the money was for me, but then I learned that it gets divided among the team. After all, it is a team sport," he laughed.

Also read: Hardik Pandya returns to action after injury break, leads Reliance 1 in DY Patil T20 Cup

BCCI has revealed the IPL schedule for the first 21 matches. MI is set to play their first game of the tournament against Hardik's previous team Gujrat Titans on March 24 in Ahmedabad.