Mumbai Indians (MI) owner Nita Ambani has revealed that she purchased all-rounder Hardik Pandya for just $10,000 in the 2015 IPL auction.
Hardik, who was an unknown name back then, has since become one of India's top cricketers and is now the captain of Mumbai Indians.
During a recent event in Boston, Nita Ambani shared her journey of discovering young cricketing talents. She recalled how she and her scouting team attended domestic tournaments, sometimes in empty stadiums, searching for players who showed promise and determination.
One such moment led them to Hardik and his brother Krunal Pandya. She remembered meeting the two, who had struggled financially for years, surviving on just Maggi noodles. However, their dedication and hunger to succeed stood out.
"In 2015, I bought Hardik Pandya for $10,000 in the auction. And today, he is the proud captain of Mumbai Indians," she stated.
Nita Ambani also recalled the moment she discovered another future Indian cricket star—Jasprit Bumrah. She mentioned that MI legend Lasith Malinga had advised her to "watch out for this young man." That young player turned out to be Bumrah, who later became India’s premier fast bowler.
Tilak Varma was another name she highlighted as a success story from MI’s scouting program. She proudly called Mumbai Indians "the nursery of cricket in India," referring to how the franchise has nurtured young talents who went on to represent the national team.
After a brief stint with the Gujarat Titans, where he won an IPL title as captain, Hardik Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians. In an emotional video, he expressed his gratitude to the MI fans, saying, "I am coming back to my family where it all started. Paltan, you supported me the first time, and I know you will back me once again. We created history as a team, and now I am looking forward to creating some wonderful moments with the boys once again."
With Hardik Pandya leading MI, fans are eager to see if the franchise can once again dominate the IPL and add another title to their legacy.
