WATCH: Irfan Pathan suggested Hardik Pandya to SRH in 2013; VVS Laxman rejected
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan revealed he suggested the name of the then unknown and uncapped Hardik Pandya to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) mentor VVS Laxman ahead of the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the latter rejected.
Irfan advised Laxman to keep an eye on the Baroda fast-bowling all-rounder, who can powerhit the ball at the death and also bowl seam up at 140 kmph.
However, Laxman and SRH declined to go after him at the auction for some reason and it took Pandya another couple of years to make his IPL debut, which he made for Mumbai Indians (MI) and the rest is history.
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Hardik Pandya could have played for SRH back in IPL 2013.
VVS Laxman declines to reveal why SRH didn’t go after Hardik Pandya despite Irfan Pathan’s advise
This was confirmed by Laxman himself during a Star Sports ‘Cricket Live’ show. Hardik, like Irfan, comes from Baroda and had been spotted by the former India left-arm quick while he was yet to really cut his teeth even at the domestic level. But seeing the evident raw talent, Irfan Pathan felt it would be right that the youngster is given an early push and he called on Laxman, his ex-teammate and friend, to provide him that nod at the SRH.
Speaking on the Star Sports show, Irfan initially didn’t want to reveal that the individual he advised to pick Hardik Pandya at the auction was indeed VVS Laxman. But his eyes told a story, as Laxman was standing only next to him and he looked at him cheekily. Moments later, Laxman himself made the story clear but without disclosing why SRH looked past Irfan’s suggestion.
“I remember there is one of our players whom I advised to pick Hardik Pandya at the IPL auction back in 2012-13. Had that person listened to me, Hardik could’ve been playing for another franchise other than Mumbai Indians,” Irfan said first up, not revealing Laxman or SRH’s name. But then he burst on laughing and for those watching closely it was confirmed that it was indeed Laxman’s team.
“I was about to say this myself. Irfan called me in 2013 or 2014 season and he told me there is a very talented player coming through by the name of Hardik Pandya from Baroda, whom you can take at SRH. He has the potential to not only become a wonderful batter but also become a proper all-rounder with the match-winning ability,” Laxman recalled.
“Back then, Hardik had not done too well for Baroda at the domestic level. But Irfan could identify his talent beneath and urged me to keep an eye out for him.”
Immediately, show’s host Jatin Sapru asked Laxman why he didn’t go by Irfan’s word and took a punt on Hardik at the auction. In response, Laxman just laughed and said, “that can’t be disclosed now” and went on to talk in praise of Irfan’s eye for talent, recalling how he once suggested Deepak Hooda’s name as well and SRH bought him.
Bhai Ne Bola To Sunne Ka
@IrfanPathan Superb Intuition
pic.twitter.com/6akP1dcM1x
— Irfan Pathan’s “Fan Club” (@AllrounderIrfy) April 19, 2019
Irfan quickly reminded Laxman that he asked him and SRH to go after another player for this year’s edition of the IPL but they didn’t pick him. Without revealing the player’s name, Laxman hinted he is a fast-bowler who was roped in by MI, like Hardik was. Sapru pulled Irfan’s leg, saying he is an unofficial IPL scout for teams.
Since his debut season back in 2015, Hardik Pandya has played 90 matches for MI with 1,461 runs at a strike-rate of 154.60 and taken 42 wickets at an economy rate of 9.06. The cricketer is now not just an integral part of the immensely successful Mumbai franchise but also the Indian team in international cricket.
