Cricket is not just a sport in India; it’s an emotion, a dream, and for many, a lifeline. The story of Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya is a testament to how passion, perseverance, and the right opportunity can transform lives. Nita Ambani, owner of the Mumbai Indians (MI), recently shared a heartwarming anecdote about her first meeting with the Pandya brothers, revealing their humble beginnings and the grit that propelled them to cricketing stardom.
Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya’s struggle for survival
Long before Hardik became the flamboyant all-rounder of the Indian cricket team and Krunal became a reliable name in the IPL, the brothers were just two lanky boys with big dreams and empty pockets. Ambani recalled how the duo revealed during their first meeting that they had survived on nothing but Maggi noodles for three years.
“I was talking to them, and they said that for three years, they’ve eaten nothing but Maggi noodles because they’ve had no money. But in them, I saw the spirit, the passion and the hunger that they wanted to make it big. Those two brothers were Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. In 2015, I bought Hardik Pandya at 10 thousand US dollars in the auction, and today, he’s the proud captain of Mumbai Indians,” she shared during the key note address at the Harvard India conference on Indian policy and culture.
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Mumbai Indians’ golden eye for talent
Mumbai Indians are not just a cricket team; they are a talent factory. Their scouting network is unparalleled, and their ability to identify and nurture young talent has made them five-time IPL champions. Hardik’s journey with MI began in 2015 when he was bought for a modest sum of $10,000. Today, he stands as the proud captain of the franchise, a testament to MI’s faith in his potential. Ambani emphasized the importance of scouting in domestic matches, where she and her team would often spot raw talent.
“In IPL, we all have a fixed budget, so every team can spend x amount of money, so we had to think about new ways of getting talent… So I remember scouting for talent, and I used to go to every Ranji Trophy match, and my scouts and I would go to all these domestic cricket matches. And one day, our scouts took two young, lanky, thin boys to the camp,” Ambani added.
Jasprit Bumrah: The boy who talked to the ball
While the Pandya brothers’ story is inspiring, it’s not the only one. Jasprit Bumrah, another MI success story, was discovered under equally remarkable circumstances. Ambani recalled how their scouts brought in a young bowler with an unconventional action and an “odd body language.” Bumrah, who grew up bowling with tennis and tape balls, is now regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. His journey from obscurity to international stardom is a shining example of MI’s ability to spot and nurture talent.
“The next year, our scouts got one young cricketer with an odd body language, and they said watch him bowl. We watched him he could just speak to the ball. That was our Bumrah and the rest is history. Last year, we launched Tilak Varma, and now he is a proud member of Team India. So I think Mumbai Indians is rightfully called the nursery of cricket in India,” she stated.
The nursery of Indian cricket
Mumbai Indians have earned the reputation of being the “nursery of Indian cricket.” From Hardik and Krunal to Bumrah and Tilak Varma, the franchise has consistently produced players who go on to represent the national team. Ambani takes pride in this legacy, stating, “We don’t just build players; we build dreams.” The stories of these cricketers are not just about their rise to fame but also about the unwavering support and opportunities provided by MI.
