Hardik Pandya is the Atum of Indian cricket | Cricket News

Hardik Pandya during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

TimesofIndia.com in Delhi: In Egyptian mythology, Atum was the primordial creator god who rose from the chaotic waters and existed before the rest of the world was created. Simply put, Artum created himself. This is not a false myth. This is the story of the rise, grind and survival of India’s premier all-rounder and MVP of white-ball cricket: Hardik Pandya.Chaos and Hardik Pandya went hand in hand, but the cricketer managed to defy odds, tune out the outside noise and keep battling perception.

Weird haircuts, countless tattoos, unique dress styles, flashy cars and the humblest of exotic watches. They loved his cricket, questioned his choices and laughed at his personal life. However, this glimpse will leave a lasting impression and warmth on you, making you feel immediately at home. Hate him, hate him, but you can’t ignore him. Pandya is at the heart of India’s white-ball system and a key part in keeping the scales balanced since 2016.However, 2016 was not the pivotal year in Pandya’s story. It was the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2013-14 season and John Wright was watching a match in Baroda from the stands. The Mumbai Indians head coach at the time was scouting local talent for the team and Pandya’s first look impressed the New Zealander. The incident happened more than a decade ago, but the 71-year-old remembers the details as if it happened yesterday.“I watched him for a week in various games at BKC. He didn’t get a lot of runs, but he had attitude. He kept trying to hit the ball out of bounds and attack. We tried to sign him that year just because we had an opening in the lineup. I think Jarraj Saxena was injured and we could have replaced him, but Hardik had a back injury so we couldn’t. He came to Wankhede Field, bowled and batted. Then he got injured, so we couldn’t reach him that year.

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – JUNE 01: Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians beats Priyansh Arya of Kings XI Punjab during the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 match between Kings XI Punjab and Mumbai Indians at Narendra Modi Stadium on June 01, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

“We got him the next year. I was lucky, you know, because I played against Kieran (Moore) and I’ve been friends with Kieran for years. He had a bit of an awareness of him but I liked his attitude. Yes. I’ll never forget that sequence of his hip – like Virender Sehwag, you know, sometimes it’s just a shot you see. That was 2014 and he started playing for us in 2015 and started winning championships with us. “Wright told TimesofIndia.com in New Zealand.Pandya’s inclusion in the MI squad means he shares the dressing room with an absolute legend in the football world. In that lounge, he found mentors and coaches and formed strong bonds. Kieron PollardEntering his life remains the defining moment of Pandya’s career. In the West Indian all-rounder, Pandya found someone with whom he could connect, talk and learn. While the lessons extended beyond cricket, the lessons didn’t begin immediately, but early confidence sustained Pollard for many years to come.

“The first time I thought of him, again, was someone who was excited, someone who was full of youthful energy, going into the unknown, but still just being himself. Again, I think this blows my mind because typically when men come into an organization like MI, they’re usually shy. But he’s not shy. He is very confident. I think, you know, that’s what attracted me to it,” Pollard said in an exclusive conversation.While the first impression was very good, Pollard took it easy on the young all-rounder. He didn’t look too far ahead, but the moment he saw Pandya coming off a career low, his decision was made. The West Indies newspaper believes Pandya has the “real courage” to stand out on the big stage and is “born for the great times”.

File photo of Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard.

“I think it took me a few years to really make the decision that ‘he’s the guy to do this’ because he had his highs and then he had his lows. That’s where you really see a guy’s true mettle, because that’s what tends to happen. You have a good season and then that’s it for some guys.” But the way he went through the highs and lows proved to myself that he was capable. Again, for us, we spend a lot of time together. “He spent a lot of time talking about cricket, talking about life, you know, talking about brains and stuff like that. So all those things, after it’s absorbed, and then you see the performance on the field again, that’s when you really realize, okay, this guy, he’s made for the big time,” Pollard explained.In the early days of MI, Wright noticed the growing relationship between Pandya and Pollard and saw the friendship develop into a special bond. This also affects cricket as the veteran coach still believes that “the best coaching comes from your teammates”.

“I think one of the things that stands out the most is they’re great partners. They seem to get along really well. Obviously, that relationship helps a lot playing together. The best guidance often comes from your teammates. From the guys in the team. You can be a coach, but the best guidance comes from your teammates. This is an old-fashioned way of learning. But it’s probably the best and strongest. “For example, while in the Indian team, Anil Kumble’s impact on our spin bowlers was huge. Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman’s impact on other batsmen was huge. I think as a coach you need to create that environment so players can learn from each other. I think that happened to Polly as well. But I think they enjoyed each other’s company. They make great companions. He learned a lot from Kieran Pollard,” Wright said.During many interactions, Pandya consistently referred to Pollard as his brother from another mother. The connection between the two remains special, and Pandya insists that his Caribbean view of life continues to appeal to Pollard. When Hardik’s brother Krunal came into the MI squad, the trio hit it off immediately and together became the core of the franchise for years – helping them win titles and dominate the IPL. They are, in Pollard’s words, the “real engine room” of the device. When it comes to Caribbean prospects, Pollard doesn’t limit himself to music and style.“We tend to associate it with Caribbean and West Indian music and styles. But we also have this pride and passion for performing. Once you don’t perform, people will look at what you are doing. That’s exactly what it’s like from Hardik’s point of view. This is exactly what happened to him. He dresses well, he’s there, he likes himself, he likes to look good. He has that talent. People often try to use this against him. Because they don’t have that confidence. This is what happened. So there are things that resonate with me,” Pollard said.It was more than just fun and games as Pollard and Pandya spent countless late nights and early mornings in the hotel corridors. It’s about life, cricket and everything that happens in between. Throughout his active playing career, Pollard was always known for shutting out the outside noise and speaking his mind. It’s an art that takes years to master, but based on Pollard’s words of wisdom, Pandya had an early training camp that prepared him for the myriad battles in life and cricket.“I think it’s just one of those conversations and it’s a conversation about understanding who has power over you and who you allow to have power over you. If you know you’re doing everything you need to do on the cricket field and it doesn’t happen, that’s okay because it’s a game, it’s a sport and you feel a lot, right? But if you allow people who can’t even pick up a bat or ball, or who have opinions just because they watch the data, to influence you, that’s where the problem lies.

Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya watches the match during warm-ups at the Narendra Modi Stadium. (Getty Images)

“My cricket will speak for me. If my cricket doesn’t speak for me today, that’s it. I’ll let it speak for me tomorrow.” That’s my mindset and that’s the mindset that we’re having this conversation with. Because people tend to say certain things, but we can control what we can control. We don’t live it. But when you start living mentally, you become stronger,” Pollard revealed of his conversations with Pandya to mentally prepare him for the fight.Over the years, Pandya has been labeled fragile and injury-prone, with little known about the top all-rounder’s relentless work. He was not just a piecemeal cricketer; He is a freak who can break into any line-up purely by batting or bowling. After career-threatening injuries and surgeries, Pandya continues to go strong and has played 131 T20Is and 94 ODIs for the national team. He’s not done yet!“He will be told a lot of things. He will not be able to bowl anymore. He is not physically strong. Who are you to say something like this? If you are not an expert. So when you realize these are just words, and people may be using words to set an agenda. Just channel your energy and say, okay. If you tell me I can’t, I’ll tell you I can. You know, that’s exactly what he did for years. Like I said, it wasn’t easy for him. There is such a person. and lives in India. The media will target this. “That’s the whole consequence of this lifestyle. But you have to be strong enough to overcome it. I believe he is strong enough to overcome it. Who says they won’t have more? Because life is like, life is what life is about. But he has, he now has the template to overcome it. That’s it,” Pollard said.

Hardik Pandya and partner Mahieka Sharma.

Gorgeous car packaging, expensive watches and an enviable lifestyle. While Pollard wouldn’t have bought most things, especially expensive watches, Pandya did, but as a “brother from another mother” he felt immense pride in seeing the story unfold up close. Pollard understands the feeling of winning the World Cup for his country, having given more than 100 per cent during the game and preparations, but wants Pandya to be remembered for “everything he did on the pitch”“I just hope and pray that one day we can continue to remember Hardik Pandya for what he did on the cricket field. Rather than expensive watches and cars and so on, because those tend to come first. Because cricket often comes second in the media world. For what he’s done from a cricket and white-ball cricket perspective, especially after where he comes from, and the support he’s gotten from his family – we must never forget that. The journey is extraordinary and could last a long time,” Pollard said.Before hanging up the phone, Pollard remembered praising his red-ball performance for India. The current perception is that Pandya does not want to play Test cricket for India anymore, but like Atum, he is determined to rise from the troubled waters.