Hardik Pandya claims ex-MI coach Ricky Ponting has made him the player that he is today

Hardik Pandya was a relatively unkwn name in Indian domestic cricket before being picked up in IPL auction by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 10 lakh in 2015. Pandya, who was a recommended by team's talent scout John Wright, signed up with Mumbai Indians in 2015 and has gone from strength-to-strength since n. After making his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians in 2015, Hardik Pandya has gone on to play 66 matches for popular IPL franchise.

explosive allrounder has racked up 1068 runs and 42 wickets in that period while establishing himself as one of most deadly allrounders in international cricket. In a recent interview, Hardik Pandya revealed that if it wasn't for Australian great Ricky Ponting, he wouldn't be player he is today.

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Hardik Pandya lauds former MI coach Ricky Ponting for being a 'far figure'

In a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Hardik Pandya heaped praise on former Mumbai Indians coach Ricky Ponting. Ponting served as a coach in 2015 and helped Hardik Pandya turn into an overnight sensation while playing in IPL. While conversing with rewned cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle, Pandya credited Ricky Ponting as someone who looked after him best and like a 'child', calling 2-time World Cup-winning captain a 'far figure' in cricket to him.

hard-hitting allrounder went on to add that Ricky Ponting helped him learn a lot about game during his early days with Mumbai Indians in 2015. Baroda-born cricketer added that 'Punter' taught him so many things, ideal mindset, how to tackle tough situations and about mental strength. As a newcomer in 2015, whenever Pandya used to sit next to hoardings, Ponting used to sit down with him and speak about game and that is how he started learning quicker. 

Hardik Pandya made headlines earlier this week after he anunced that he is expecting his first child with partner Natasa Stankovic in a post on social media. couple also reportedly tied kt during ongoing quarantine and shared pictures of same on Instagram.

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