Nita Ambani Reflects on Her First Meeting with the 'Lanky' Pandya Brothers
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The Mumbai Indians' status as five-time IPL champions is well-deserved, primarily due to their unparalleled talent scouting. Over the years, the franchise has made significant investments in players who have emerged as key figures in Indian cricket. Notable examples include Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, both of whom have become indispensable members of the national team within a decade. Their ascent to prominence, initially with the Mumbai Indians and subsequently with the Indian cricket team, exemplifies the franchise's ability to identify and nurture exceptional talent.
Nita Ambani, the owner of the Mumbai Indians, reminisced about her first encounter with Hardik Pandya and his brother Krunal Pandya over ten years ago during a preparatory camp. Hardik made his debut for MI in 2015 and for the Indian team the following year. His remarkable achievements since then are a testament to MI's exceptional scouting efforts. Transitioning from an all-rounder to the captain of MI, Hardik's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers.
"In the IPL, we operate within a fixed budget, which means every team has a set amount to spend. This necessitated innovative approaches to talent acquisition. I recall attending every Ranji Trophy match with my scouts, searching for promising players. One day, our scouts introduced two young, slender boys to the camp," she recounted.
"I spoke with them, and they shared that for three years, their diet consisted solely of Maggi noodles due to financial constraints. Yet, I recognized in them the spirit, passion, and determination to succeed. Those two brothers were Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya. In 2015, I acquired Hardik Pandya for 10,000 US dollars at the auction, and today, he proudly serves as the captain of the Mumbai Indians."
Bumrah would talk to the ball
Bumrah had a unique connection with the ball. The narrative of MI and Ambani extends beyond Hardik Pandya; they recognized Bumrah's potential even earlier. In 2013, a young Jasprit Bumrah made a significant impact by bowling out AB de Villiers for MI against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, delivering a memorable send-off. As Bumrah has frequently mentioned, he did not have the opportunity to bowl with a professional season ball during his formative years; his experience was primarily with tennis and tape balls. It is indeed remarkable that a bowler with such limited exposure to a proper cricket ball has risen to become the world's leading fast bowler.
"The following year, our scouts identified a young cricketer with unconventional body language and recommended that we observe his bowling. We were captivated by his ability to seemingly communicate with the ball. That was our Bumrah, and the rest is history. Last year, we introduced Tilak Varma, who is now a proud member of Team India. Therefore, it is fitting to refer to the Mumbai Indians as the nursery of cricket in India," stated Mrs. Ambani.
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