Hardik Pandya thanks tennis-ball selector for Rs 400 fee

.

In a heartwarming moment that has gone viral on social media, India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen thanking a local cricket selector from his childhood via video call. The video captured Pandya expressing gratitude to the selector for providing him with a match fee of Rs 400 during his formative cricketing years, a gesture he described as pivotal in shaping his career.

Before rising to fame as the world's top-ranked T20I all-rounder and captaining the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pandya’s cricketing journey was far from glamorous. During his teenage years, the Baroda all-rounder frequently traveled to remote villages across Gujarat to participate in local and tennis-ball cricket tournaments. These matches often earned him modest match fees of Rs 400-500, which he has acknowledged as crucial support during his early struggles.

In the video, Pandya’s humility shines through as he reminisces about those challenging days and acknowledges the role of individuals who believed in him. The selector he thanked was instrumental in helping Pandya sustain his passion for cricket when resources were limited.