‘It was about surviving, not winning’: Hardik Pandya opens up on nightmarish IPL 2024 at Mumbai Indians

IPL 2024 was more about survival for Hardik Pandya, rather the winning, revealed the Mumbai Indians captain. Taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma last year, Hardik Pandya became a victim of constant booing from the fans, where ever he went in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League.

The decision to replace Rohit Sharma didn't go well with the supporters, who criticised the Indian all-rounder every time he stepped on to the field, irrespective of the venues. To add more to that, his separation with wife Natasa Stankovic also took a toll on Hardik Pandya during that time.

However, his life came to a full circle when Hardik Pandya played crucial role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, couple of months later. In fact, it was the same crowd at the Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium that chanted Hardik Pandya's name aloud after India's return from Barbados.

Opening up about his toughest phase of his career, Hardik Pandya stated he had to hold his ground despite the criticisms. “It was always about when you don't leave the battlefield. For me, it was about surviving, maybe not winning,” Hardik Pandya told in a Star Sports show.

“That year was the year where, for the longest time, I had to hold my ground. I realised that cricket is something which is going to be my best friend. When all the hard work and everything came, I don't think I would be able to write a script which, it turned out to be in my life, those six months.

"Winning the T20 World Cup and getting back the love we got, it was a 360 degree turnaround,” added the all-rounder, who was a part of India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title-winning side.

What's next for Hardik Pandya?

Fresh from winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win in Dubai, Hardik Pandya will now lead Mumbai Indians in their pursuit of their sixth IPL title. Having retained their core of the squad, Mumbai Indians will also see a few new faces.

One of the prominent inclusions at Mumbai Indians was former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Deepak Chahar. Mumbai Indians will open their IPL 2025 campaign against CSK at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on March 23.