We saw some vintage Hardik Pandya shots in the last few deliveries of the game against PBKS, which pushed MI to the winning line, earning the team its first two points in the UAE leg of IPL 2021.

MI will surely be relieved to find Hardik back among runs in the middle, and fans are more than thrilled to see the Rockstar doing what he does the best in the field. Not to forget, Team India will be happy too, given the upcoming T20 World Cup next month.

However, the happiest among all was Hardik himself, as he reveled in the moment when he found his mojo back. He admitted to it post the game too in a chat with Nathan Coulter-Nile.

On what pushed him to perform

Hardik got a blow on his shoulder from a Mohammed Shami short ball, which the batter termed as his wake-up call to go out there and give his best. “To be honest, I will give credit to Shami as well because the ball which I got hit, I told Polly as well at the same time, that this woke me up. Actually for me that changed everything. Before that I found it difficult.”

On years of experience

Hardik explained that years of playing cricket has given him confidence to stand up and execute plans when it is most important. “For me, my sport has been very simple and you know, I have, over a period of time, played certain amount of cricket and I have realised that Over a period of time, I have realised that when I make sure that every game is a new game, every opportunity is a new opportunity to be a hero and make my team win.”

He also emphasised on playing the ball at hand without thinking about the past. “I have always been that kind of a cricketer who has always seen the ball and played. I forget what has happened in the past or the previous ball. I forget it and then I come and make sure that I give my 100% when the next ball arrives.”

A few words of appreciation for Polly

Hardik shares a close bond with Caribbean Kieron Pollard, who on Tuesday became the first ever player to score over 10,000 T20 runs and take 300 wickets. He had a few words about the Big Man. “Absolute legend for me. When Polly takes his bowling to the heart like he is very passionate about bowling.”

“I have seen Pollard not scoring runs or struggling but I have never seen him getting frustrated but if someone misields or someone drops the catch or he goes for runs you don’t want to be next to the Kieron Pollard. He has been my brother from another mother but yeah he has been an absolute legend and all the respect he gets he deserves it. Much love,” Hardik concluded.

We are pumped to see what else Hardik can bring on the table for the rest of IPL 2021. The team will be in action again on Saturday, October 2, 2021 against last year finalists Delhi Capitals.