I want to be the Jacques Kallis of India: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya was a hardly known name a year ago, but the boy grabbed the opportunity he got to play for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 and took the world by storm, he was a young all-rounder who could smash the ball long and bowl faster than medium-pace. A couple of match winning performances for MI and he was soon a name to watch out for. Consistent and thumping performances for his domestic side Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2016 where the team ended as the second best earned him a spot in the Indian T20I team that toured Australia for a 3-match series.

He was handed over his debut in the very first and has been impressive in the exploits he has had in the middle. Pandya also made a mark with the bat in the recently concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka with a quickfire knock. In a recent interview with IBN the 22 years old said that he idolizes former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis and wants to play that role for India.

“Because what he has done for South Africa is quite commendable and you know when he has bowled he was the proper fast bowler and when he has batted he was a proper batsman and when he was doing fielding he was a brilliant fielder.

“So that’s why I idolise him because I want to be the Jacques Kallis of India. Because I want to be that guy who, whenever the team needs, is there…in batting, bowling, and fielding. So, that kind of player I want to be for India,” Pandya said.

What was it that turned things in his favor, to an extent that he is one of the most talked about youngsters in India today? He said, “Definitely IPL. IPL will be the biggest turning point of my life actually. Because no one knew one year back who was Hardik Pandya but now, at least, people know that Hardik Pandya is a proper allrounder, plays for Mumbai Indians and now he plays for India as well. In one year, my life has changed,” the all-rounder said.

Talking about his journey and the hardships he has been through to be at this level, Hardik said, “I always had this thing in my mind that only cricket can give what I want in life because cricket is a religion in India. So only cricket can bring the few things I want. So during that time [of hardships], when my father had a few heart attacks and when the financial problem came, I was just sitting in the ground and thinking what to do in life because I was just 17 years old.

“I was watching a game and I just decided that this thing, cricket, can change my life; and cricket only can make things better right now. That’s why all my focus went to cricket,” Pandya said.