Hardik Pandya fulfills promise, gifts ₹10 lakh to Wankhede groundstaff in beautiful gesture
Published - 27 Mar 2026, 01:57 PM | Updated - 27 Mar 2026, 02:03 PM
Hardik Pandya once again won every Indian heart by keeping the promise he made with the ground staff while preparing for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He played a crucial role in India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, proving his critics wrong with his performance and skills.
This is not the first time Hardik Pandya has shown why people love him. In the past as well, he has been seen doing such thoughtful gestures. One incident that many fans may remember is when one of his sixes accidentally hit a cameraman’s shoulder. After the innings, he personally approached the cameraman, placed an ice pack on his shoulder, and apologized for the accident.
The Promise Hardik Pandya Made to the Ground Staff
Wankhede Stadium, the home ground of the Mumbai Indians, has always been special for Hardik Pandya, who is also set to lead the team in the upcoming IPL season. While preparing for the ICC marquee event, he promised the ground staff that he would return to thank them personally for their support.
He believes the ground staff played a key role in his overall performance, as they were always present around him while he practiced in the nets, even after their respective shifts. Their efforts helped him perform at his full potential, something he is grateful for and will never forget.
To reward their dedication, Pandya gave each ground staff member a cheque of ₹10 lakh. After India’s World Cup win, he returned to Wankhede Stadium to personally thank the staff, shake hands, click pictures with them, and hand over the cheques.
This act made sensational headlines across the media. While many praised Kung-fu-Pandya for his humility and generosity, some critics questioned his intentions, suggesting he was seeking attention.
Can Hardik Pandya Make an MI Comeback This Season?
Pandya is known in international cricket for his remarkable comebacks. After a disastrous 2024 IPL season, in which he was appointed captain in place of Rohit Sharma, fans and experts were skeptical, and he faced heavy criticism on social media. Despite the backlash, the all-rounder continued to work hard and made a brilliant comeback in 2025, helping the Mumbai Indians reach the qualifiers and playing a key role in India’s T20 World Cup victory.
Now, the question is whether he can lead MI to another IPL trophy. With the management showing faith in him once again, and looking at his current form, expectations are high. With a mix of senior players and young talent in the squad, it will be interesting to see how Hardik Pandya manages the team.
Hardik Pandya's Record as a Captain
After performing so well in back-to-back ICC events, he acts as an inspiration for the young players who mostly struggle in the initial stage of their careers. His aura, his leading style, and inspiring everyone are quite different from other captains, as he gives proper chances and opportunities to every player to go out and perform at his best.
Talking about Hardik Pandya's record as a captain is quite interesting. He has a strong captaincy record in T20 cricket, highlighted by winning the 2022 IPL in his debut season with the Gujarat Titans and taking them to the 2023 final. He has also led India in 16 T20Is, securing 10 wins. As of 2025, Pandya has roughly 35 wins in 60 IPL matches across GT and the Mumbai Indians, making him a strong contender for the captaincy role.
Also read: Hardik Pandya sets his ultimate goal ahead of IPL 2026
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