IPL 2022: Hardik Pandya Helped Me When I First Joined Mumbai Indians: Ishan Kishan
IPL 2022: Indian wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has revealed in Breakfast With Champions, a talk show hosted by Gaurav Kapoor that Hardik Pandya Helped him during his initial days at Mumbai Indians.
Hardik Pandya joined the MI set-up in 2015 and instantly made an impact with his all-round show. He bowled his full quota of 4 overs in the 2015 IPL Final with a good pace. This led many people to take notice of the young all-rounder. Earlier in that tournament, he had played a couple of brilliant knocks to take his side home.
In 2016, he made his T20 international debut in Australia where India clean swept the series, 3-0. After playing for India he also became an integral part of MI’s leadership group alongside Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma.
Until You Improve, We Can’t Give You A Match: Ishan Kishan Says About Hardik Pandya
Ishan Kishan joined the MI camp after the 2018 mega auctions. He was still a raw talent. Pandya took him under his wings and guided the youngster. Ishan Kishan on the role Pandya played early in his career at MI said, “I was with Hardik bhai and others all the time during the IPL and I see their work ethic as to how he is taking care of himself. They would sit me down and explain things to me for 30 minutes – what’s important, what is not and what I am doing wrong.
Hardik bhai’s reputation… I mean all the seniors in the team would sit together. But I was the young one who was still finding his way. Hardik bhai was always like ‘You leave him to me’. And he actually told me also that until you improve, we can’t give you a match’. I also felt then that what they’re saying is for my own benefit.”
Ishan also recalled that even Krunal Pandya helped him at MI, he said: “Even Krunal bhai, he also is like ‘I’ll meet you after 3-4 months. And then when we meet, we will track each other’s progress – as a human beings, players – everything together. We keep challenging each other.”
Ishan Kishan was picked again by MI in the mega auctions for 15.25 Crores. He has had a successful couple of outings so far. He has scored 2 fifties in as many games.
While Hardik Pandya is leading the new franchise based out of Gujarat, the Gujarat Titans.
Also Read: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians Match Preview, IPL 2022, Match 14, KKR vs MI
