Hardik Pandya‘s Test career has got off to the best possible start. Prior to the series against Sri Lanka, many had doubted his credentials for the longest format of the game but the 23-year old proved one and all wrong with some brilliant performances in the recently-concluded three-match series.

After scoring a quickfire 50 on his debut in Galle, Pandya gave a Man of the Match performance in the third Test at Pallekele by scoring his maiden Test as well as first-class century off just 86 balls. He was finally dismissed after scoring 108 that was studded with 8 fours and 7 sixes.

And as if the knock was not enough to make his father proud, the Indian star has gifted his father a car.  The highly-rated all-rounder, who is currently in Sri Lanka, planned a ‘small surprise’ with his brother for their father, as the latter took Pandya senior to a car showroom and surprised him with the special gift.

The reaction on Pandya’s father’s face was priceless and a delighted Pandya posted a series of tweets to acknowledge the contribution of his father in shaping up his and his brother’s career.

Uploading a video of the moment when his father was told about the gift, Pandya wrote:

Read More  Irfan Pathan explodes on Hardik Pandya after the Mumbai Indians' captain brings shame to his team

“So glad to see his face lit up like that. Yes, this is the guy who should get all the happiness in life & deserves the credit, my dad! He was the one who left everything what he had for me & @krunalpandya_official and which takes a lot of courage to do,” he wrote.

“Only for our careers and I can’t thank him enough for all he has done. So that’s a small surprise for him which made me cry. The family is life and special mention to my brother @vibsnasir for getting this done when I was not around. Love to all,” he added.

Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli has also made it clear that Pandya is a key part of the team and has the backing of every member.

“I don’t think I need add any more lines, his performance has spoken for itself. People might have problems with the kind of demeanour he has or the belief he carries with himself, but we, certainly in the team, have no doubts on that. We let him be who he is, we let him express himself. You know, a guy who can get a fifty and a hundred in his first three games batting at No.8 has to have something special in him. And the innings that he played here, after being 320 for 6, it wasn’t just mad slogging,” Kohli had said in the post-match conference.

Read More  RR vs DC Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match? IPL 2024, Match 9

Watch: Teary-Eyed Hardik Pandya's 'Small Surprise' To His Proud Father

“He actually used his brain and batted with the tail which I think is a great sign for us. He brings in great balance to the team, he’s a gun fielder and he gives you those crucial breakthroughs, he’s very handy with the ball and we know what he can do with the bat as well. All doubts aside from the outside, inside the team we absolutely have 120% faith in him,” he had added.

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.