"Perspective, Priorities Have Changed": 'Father' Hardik Pandya Pours His Heart Out

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya opened up on how he embraced fatherhood and how it affected him as a person and changed his life for good. Hardik has come under scrutiny ever since he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of MI for IPL 2024. He has been constantly targetted by fans everywhere he has played with fans booing him during MI's matches, home and away. Fans have even targetted him on social media over his poor form in the tournament. Despite all the chatter around his form and fitness, Hardik was named in India's T20 World Cup squad which was announced a few days back.

During a recent interaction, Hardik revealed how his priorities and perspective towards life changed after he became a father.

"(After becoming a father) My cricket didn't change much but as a person it changed my point of view towards life. Perspective and priorities have changed and it brought a lot of calmness inside me. At the end of the day, you know that when you go back to your family and loved ones, they are always there for you. Very thankful for this life. Getting married, becoming a father, it's been very special," Hardik said in a video uploaded by Star Sports.

Hardik, who married actress Natasa Stankovic in 2023, had become a father in 2020. He has a four-year-old son named Agastya.

Despite his recent struggles, India captain Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar backed Hardik to come good in IPL 2024, as well as the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Both Agarkar and Rohit were happy to see Hardik not incurring any injury setbacks while fulfilling his role as a batter and a bowler for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 so far.

"Nothing was discussed with regard to being vice-captain. You want everyone to be in good form. The good part is that he (Hardik) has gotten through all the games for MI, and we have a month and a little bit.

"We know he is doing that and hope he keeps building on that form. I don't think there is a replacement for the things he can do. He gives the team balance and Rohit the option to play different combinations. Fortunately, he has gone well this IPL thus far," Agarkar said in a press conference on Thursday.