The Untold Story of the Pandya Brothers Revealed by Nita Ambani
Mumbai Indians have built a reputation for scouting and nurturing exceptional cricketing talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise has played a crucial role in bringing several talented players into the limelight, including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, and Tilak Varma.
However, the story of the Pandya brothers is unique, as revealed by franchise owner Nita Ambani. She shared that Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya faced severe financial hardships during their early years, surviving on instant noodles for three years. "Their determination and passion for the game stood out, which is why we decided to bring them into our team," she said.
Nita Ambani explained that Mumbai Indians conducted extensive scouting across domestic tournaments, including Ranji Trophy matches, to identify promising talent. "We carefully analyzed performances in domestic tournaments and personally observed players. One day, two tall and extremely lean young boys arrived at our camp. After speaking with them, we were shocked to learn that they had lived on just Maggi for three years due to financial difficulties," she recalled.
Despite their hardships, their love for cricket and relentless drive convinced Mumbai Indians to invest in them. "Those two boys were Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. In 2015, we bought Hardik for ₹10 lakh, and today, he has become a captain Mumbai Indians can be proud of," Nita Ambani stated.