After a series of impressive performances for India, talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya revealed that he idolises South African legend Jacques Kallis and wants to perform like him.
After a series of impressive performances for India, talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya revealed that he idolises South African legend Jacques Kallis and wants to perform like him.
“Because what he (Kallis) has done for South Africa is quite commendable and you know when he has bowled he was the proper fast bowler and when he has batted he was a proper batsman and when he was doing fielding he was a brilliant fielder,” Pandya told a channel in an interview.
“So that’s why I idolise him because I want to be the Jacques Kallis of India. Because I want to be that guy who, whenever the team needs, is there in batting, bowling, and fielding. So, that kind of player I want to be for India,” he added.
Talking about his journey and the hardships he has been through to be at this level, Pandya said, “I always had this thing in my mind that only cricket can give what I want in life because cricket is a religion in India. So only cricket can bring the few things I want. So during that time (of hardships), when my father had a few heart attacks and when the financial problem came, I was just sitting in the ground and thinking what to do in life because I was just 17 years old.
“I was watching a game and I just decided that this thing, cricket, can change my life; and cricket only can make things better right now. That’s why all my focus went to cricket,” Pandya said.
The 22-year-old said IPL was the biggest turning point of his life.
“No one knew one year back who was Hardik Pandya but now, at least, people know that Hardik Pandya is a proper allrounder, plays for Mumbai Indians and now he plays for India as well. In one year, my life has changed,” he added.
