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When MS Dhoni slept on the floor to give Hardik Pandya his bed: India all-rounder reminisces days of past

Abhishek Singh

Hardik Pandya, who is currently in the Indian camp at the T20 World Cup, is happy that his ‘Mahi Bhai’ is still there to support him. This would be the first time that MS Dhoni would not be available as a player with the team for the first time in a World Cup since 2007, but Hardik Pandya is thankful that the BCCI have found a way to include the legendary Indian captain in the squad.

Remembering an incident from 2019, when his one year ban by BCCI following the Coffee With Karan fiasco had ended and he was called on the New Zealand tour, Pandya said, "When I was picked for the New Zealand series (in January 2019, after the suspension was revoked), initially there were no hotel rooms (for Pandya in New Zealand). But then I get a call, saying, You just come. MS has told us, 'I don't sleep on the bed in any case. He will sleep on my bed and I will sleep on the floor.”

The Indian all-rounder, whose fitness is a cause of worry as he might not be able to bowl in the T20 World Cup 2021, also expressed gratitude towards the two times World Cup-winning captain for always being there when he needed him. 

Talking about the incident that got him banned for a year, Pandya in an interview with Cricket Monthly said, “When all this happened, he [Dhoni] knew that I needed support. I just needed a shoulder, which he provided multiple times in my cricketing career. I never saw him as MS Dhoni the greatest. For me, Mahi is my brother. I respect and admire the fact that he was there when I needed him the most.”

The 28-year-old who has not featured in a match against a big nation off late, with his last international match coming against Sri Lanka is ready to bounce back and play the role of a finisher in this World Cup. He considers that with Dhoni not in the team anymore, it adds up extra responsibility on the Baroda born to play the finisher’s role. 

"The biggest so far, I will say, because this time I don't have Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Everything is on my shoulders - I like to think that way because it gives me an added challenge. It is going to be exciting, a cracker of a tournament," he said. 

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Stayed up all night to watch Ireland beat Windies in 2015 WC: Joshua Little wants bigger memories in 2021

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ICC World T20 2021 | Former champions Sri Lanka prepare for tough test against Namibia

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