Hardik Pandya (Source: @BCCI/X.com, @cricketbaba33/X.com)
India's star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, is on a mission to accomplish world domination for his national side. The senior cricketer, who recently spoke to the ICC after lifting the Champions Trophy 2025, expressed his ambitions for India and plans to make the Men in Blue the world beaters.
Pandya Opens Up About India's Global Plans
Hardik Pandya, who has been a crucial member of the Indian side in the past few years with his excellent performances in white-ball cricket, is leading the way for the Men in Blue. Recently speaking to the ICC, Pandya expressed that he was determined for his nation to lift the Champions Trophy 2025 that recently concluded.
According to Pandya, they were left in a lurch after the 2017 Champions Trophy disaster against Pakistan, as they couldn't see off the chase during which the star all-rounder scored a quickfire 76 off 43 before getting run out.
Additionally, Pandya's ambition is to make India the Champions Trophy winner, a goal that has finally been accomplished.
“2017, the work was left. You know I could not finish the job back then. And I am very very glad that tonight is the night where I can say that you know what, I am a champions trophy winner as well. So, sounds good I think. For me it has always been about winning as many championships as I can,"
However, Pandya revealed that he and the Indian side are not done after lifting the Champions Trophy, as their aim after winning last year's T20 World Cup was to at least put their hands on five or six more ICC titles in the upcoming years.
Hardik is highly determined to make India the world beaters, as the only thing by which they can achieve this is by lifting the ICC trophies.
"I did say when we won in 2024 that this is not done, I still need 5-6 more trophies there. I am very happy that one more is added. The most important thing in my life and my cricketing journey has always been about how I can make sure that my team can win. And it's very very satisfying, very very calming, very very happy moment for me that every time I step on the field,"
The next target for the Baroda-born player, is to help India defend their T20 World Cup title when the marquee short-form global championship returns to India as the defending champions will be playing on their home soil, in front of their home crowd, something they failed to achieve in the 2023 World Cup that happened at their home as well.
"I love wins like this where everyone comes there, puts their heart out, and you know I think this was for India, this was for Bharat. The champions trophy is done, next goal ICC T20 World Cup in India, lifting the cup.”
Hardik's Mumbai Indians To Begin IPL Campaign On 23rd March
The Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya, after helping India lift the Champions Trophy 2025, will now be at the helm of things at his beloved MI franchise as they look to win their sixth IPL title when they take the field against Chennai Super Kings in the third match of the Indian Premier League 2025, on 23rd March.
The league will have the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru opener on 22nd March.