From incessant boos to frenzied adulation — star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has seen it all in the last few months, during which his life underwent a “360 degree turnaround” and keeping him afloat in the turmoil was his determination to “never leave the battlefield.” As he gears up for his second IPL season as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya can expect a markedly warmer reception at the Wankhede after playing crucial roles in India’s T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy triumphs.

Last year’s backlash

The backlash he faced in IPL 2024 was triggered by the team’s decision to hand him the leadership role, replacing Mumbai’s very own Rohit Sharma, who led the franchise to five trophies. “For me, it has always been about never leaving the battlefield. There have been phases in my career where my focus wasn’t necessarily on winning but on surviving and holding my ground,” Pandya told JioHotstar ahead of the IPL starting March 22.