How a cup of 'Koffee' changed Hardik Pandya

Falling and rising tends to put life in perspective for most people. And Hardik Pandya is one of them.

And, Pandya learnt this the hard way when following his controversial remarks on the TV show 'Koffee with Karan', he was pulled up by the BCCI, withdrawn from the Indian team touring Australia for disciplinary reasons and suspended for a few international matches.

Ever since he has been back in the playing 11, for India in New Zealand and for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL, the 25-year-old all-rounder from Baroda has had a changed approach to his game. The wild celebrations after taking a wicket that was noticed regularly before his appearance on the TV chat show are all now subdued. It is now more of acknowledging the crowd's applause for dismissing the opposition batsman. Or, patting himself on the back and admiring his own stroke with a pump of his fist as the ball sails over the boundary rope.

And, when he plays a helicopter shot, that too in front of the person who has made the stroke his own, MS Dhoni, then Pandya cannot control his proud moment and hide his joy.

'In good mind space'

Pandya is now, perhaps, in the best frame of mind. And, that is good news for India that is looking up to him to do the all-rounder's role to perfection in the World Cup in England and Wales.

As has been seen in this year's IPL, Pandya has taken his batting to a new level – scoring quick runs to take the team across the finish line if chasing, or his blazing knock giving Mumbai Indians that extra cushion of runs to defend successfully. The regularity with which Pandya has been able to do it, and hit sixes at will, indicates that he is enjoying his game now more than ever before.

As was seen in Mumbai Indians' last match at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday before hitting the road for four away games in a row beginning with Delhi Capitals on Thursday, Pandya finished off the match in clinical fashion with one over to spare. His rate of scoring also helps his team end up with better net run rate. He does not believe in taking the game to the final over when the matter could be settled well before. This is one of the aspects of his batting that Team India would want him to do in the World Cup so that the team benefits with better net run rate, should its qualification for the semifinals come down to that.

Pandya accepted that being away from the game – for disciplinary action for his TV show blabbering and then being rested for lower back spasms against the home series against Australia – have helped him.

"As a cricketer, I have changed," Pandya said the other night after helping MI beat RCB with a 16-ball 37*. "Everyone has a setback and for me, I got to improve, got some time for my body as well. The time I was out is helping me right now because I am in a good mind space and everything is coming right."

Timing his sixes right

Hitting sixes comes naturally to the right-hander, using the width of his crease to negate even a good length ball and deposit it long and make the bowler look silly. India will be expecting Pandya to do this in the United Kingdom too.

"It is pretty important to always have the confidence behind you," he said when asked if his batting form will give him a boost in the World Cup. "The World Cup is a big stage. It is for the first time I am playing. For me, It is important to keep hitting the ball well. I was away from the game for sometime. So, coming back, it was important for me to hit well."

Finding no discomfort with his lower back that ended his campaign at the Asia Cup in Dubai last year and which resurfaced before the home ODI series against Australia that he was rested as a precautionary measure and allowed to strengthen it, Pandya said with a smile, "The back is good, touch wood!"

Pandya has been to England before and is aware of the conditions that he and the team will to encounter. His first overseas ODI tour was to England for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. "A lot to learn from that trip," Pandya said. "It's past. We have to see the conditions because the last time when we went (for CT 2017), a lot of people told me that it will be swinging, it will be nice and cold. But eventually, I have never played on a flat wicket before. It will depend on the situation and the condition. If it's the same situation that we played in the Champions Trophy, it will be a help for us."

With his maiden World Cup selection out of the way, Pandya still has a job to do for MI. "Cricket is the same. Be it the World Cup or IPL. My preparation will always follow the basics. That's what has got success for me and I will keep backing myself that way," said Pandya, before bending down to pick up his cell phone that slipped from his hand and taking the long walk across the Wankhede to join his team for the celebrations.