More Than A Great Cricketer, MS Dhoni Is Like Elder Brother: Hardik Pandya On Team India Mentor

"Whenever I needed him, Dhoni was always with me. More than a great cricketer, I always saw him as my elder brother.", says Hardik Pandya.

Image Courtesy: AFP

Hardik Pandya on MS Dhoni: According to Indian cricket team's Star All-Rounder Hardik Pandya, the 2021 T20 World Cup is his career's biggest responsibility as he would be facing increased pressure as a finisher, especially in his life coach and elder brother Mahendra Singh Dhoni's absence. This is India's first T20 World Cup without Dhoni, who bid farewell to international cricket last year. India will play their first match in the tournament against Pakistan on October 24. Former Indian Cricket Team Captain MS Dhoni has been made the team mentor for this tournament.

Only Dhoni can make me calm down: Pandya

In an interview with ESPN's Cricinfo Cricket Monthly, Hardik Pandya spoke about many of the challenges he faced in his life and the extraordinary rapport he shares with Dhoni. He said, "Performing as a finisher in absence of MS Dhoni would be the biggest challenge of my life. Everything now rests on my shoulders. However, I think that this tournament would be both challenging and exciting for me." While talking about his rapport with Dhoni, Pandya said, "MS has understood me from the very beginning. He has approved my performance, my attitude along with my likes and dislikes."  

"Mahi Bhai gave me his bed and slept on the ground himself.": Hardik Pandya

Pandya said that Dhoni spoke to him while he was returning to New Zealand in 2019 after completing his suspension due to controversial remarks on a TV show. He said, "Initially, there was no hotel room booked for me. Then I got a call asking me to come to the hotel. Dhoni told me that he doesn't sleep on the bed. He would be sleeping on the floor and I would be sleeping on the bed. He is the only person who has always stood by me. He knows me in-and-out. I am very close to him. He is the only one who can keep me calm."

The star all-rounder added, "When the entire fiasco happened, he knew I needed support. I needed support during my cricket career, which he always provided. You know MS Dhoni as a great player, I know him as an elder brother."