Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya’s remarkable resilience and professionalism as he faced intense public scrutiny for replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain of Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024.
Kishan revealed that Hardik faced harsh criticism and booing at several places including at the toss, while boarding the team bus and at the airport during IPL 2024 and he was well aware of all these things.
Ishan Kishan praises Hardik Pandya’s calmness during IPL 2024 criticism
Despite the hostile treatment from the fans, Pandya remained unfazed and focused on his performance, for which Ishan credited his captain’s calm and composed demeanor. The out-of-favor Indian wicketkeeper admires Pandya’s ability to maintain his composure and carry on with his duties without showing any signs of being affected by the negative reactions.
According to Kishan, this is a hallmark of a great athlete like the Indian all-rounder. Explain Pandya’s approach to handling criticism. Kishan said the star all-rounder avoided what he could not control and focused on his performance.
The left-hander further revealed that Pandya’s philosophy during tough times was to stay focused and not let external negativity affect his mindset as the 2024 T20 World Cup winner believed that those who criticised him today would be the same ones who would celebrate him in the future.
Ishan said this attitude helped Hardik take the bullying in his stride and use it as motivation to excel, and he did so in style for Team India at the recent 2024 T20 World Cup, stating that his mental strength and ability to overcome adversity showed why he is one of the most resilient athletes in the world.
Hardik Pandya used to say that these people will celebrate me in future: Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan was quoted by The Indian Express as saying, “I remember Hardik bhai once saying during the IPL, ‘jo haath mey nahi hai uske baare mey kya sochna, log bol rahe hai kyu bol rahe, wo sab control nahi kar sakte (Those things which are not in our hands, we cannot control them. If I keep thinking about what people say, I will lose it). The same group that has criticised me will celebrate me in future and I just have to take it in a very sporting manner. ’”
Furthermore, Kishan revealed that Pandya was heartbroken over his injury during the 2024 ODI World Cup but channelled his determination into the 2024 T20 World Cup. The MI wicket-keeper said that Pandya’s rigorous training and unwavering work ethic showed how he was eager to make a strong comeback, which was evident in his performance during the recent mega event.
Kishan added: “He was heartbroken after getting injured during the ODI World Cup. He was very focused on the T20 World Cup. Though he never said it, the intensity with which he used to train and practise had ‘tu dekh mai karta hun’ (you see what I will do) written all over it. I have trained with him. He has never compromised on his work ethic and that was shown during the World Cup.”
