"They found me, they found Jasprit, Krunal, Tilak" - Hardik Pandya's inspirational message to youngsters joining MI after IPL 2025 auction
Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya shared an inspirational message to the youngsters joining the franchise after the IPL 2025 auction. He talked about how the facilities at MI will help the younger players become top Indian stars in the future should they put in the hard yards.
Hardik joined the franchise in 2015 as an unknown commodity but has since grown in stature, becoming one of the world's best all-rounders.
Meanwhile, the MI squad boasts several youngsters like Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Arjun, and Raj Angad Bawa, among several others.
In a video shared by the franchise on their X handle, Hardik said:
"My message to all the young guns who are joining Mumbai Indians this year is that if you are here, you have that spark, you have that talent, which the scouts have seen. They found me, they found Jasprit, they found Krunal, they found Tilak. They all eventually played for the country. All you have to do is show up, train, work hard, and the best part is that Mumbai Indians has the facility to make them flourish."
Hardik played from MI from 2015 to 2021, helping the franchise win four IPL titles in that stretch.
After two seasons with the Gujarat Titans (GT), the 31-year-old returned to MI and took over as captain this year. However, the side endured a torrid campaign in IPL 2024, finishing at the bottom of the table with only four wins in 14 outings.
"We have covered all the bases" - Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya expressed satisfaction with the MI squad following the IPL 2025 mega auction.
After retaining himself, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma, the franchise also welcomed back Trent Boult. The Kiwi pacer played a massive role in helping MI win the title in 2020, finishing with 25 wickets in 15 matches.
"I was in touch with the table as well, exactly who we are going for, and I think we came out pretty well from the auction and how the team is looking. We have found the right mix, which is experienced players, like Boulty (Trent Boult) is back, Deepak Chahar, who has been around, and at the same time, young guns like Will Jacks, Robin Minz and Rickelton, who are fresh. So, I think we have done pretty well. We have covered all the bases," said Hardik.
MI also added veteran Indian pacer Deepak Chahar, English dasher Will Jacks, New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner, and Afghanistan's latest bowling sensation Allah Ghazanfar.
The franchise has struggled with results over the past few seasons, qualifying for the playoffs only once since their back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020.