With IPL 2025 just days away, Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya has a simple message for young players: believe in yourself.
The IPL is a stage where talent meets pressure, and Pandya, who has been through it all, understands the mental battles young players face.
The young players coming into the IPL are extremely talented. My message to them is simple—believe in yourself. They are here because they are good enough, but the biggest challenge at this stage is self-doubt. Sometimes, players start questioning whether they belong at this level, and that doubt can take away from their skill set. Managing that mental aspect is crucial. There will be highs and lows, but staying neutral allows players to seize crucial moments.
For Mumbai Indians, this season is about redemption. After finishing at the bottom in 2024, they have rebuilt with experience and intent.
"Each season brings new energy and fresh positivity. The 2024 season was challenging, but it provided invaluable lessons. We applied those learnings while building our team for 2025. This time, we have assembled an experienced squad—players who have played a lot of cricket at the highest level. That in itself is exciting. The key now is to come together as a unit and execute our plans efficiently. If we do that, we will have some very good days ahead."
A major focus for MI was strengthening their bowling attack, a necessity at Wankhede’s high-scoring venue.
"The players we picked— especially the experienced ones—were always part of our plan. We had a clear idea of what we were looking for. Our primary objective was to build a strong bowling attack, considering that Wankhede is a challenging venue. Playing in Mumbai, particularly at Wankhede, can be intimidating due to the high-scoring nature of the pitch. We wanted bowlers with experience, pace, and the ability to generate swing and bounce. I believe we have put together a well-balanced team, one that meets all our requirements from top to bottom. Now it’s about turning up and delivering on the field."
MI’s campaign begins with a high-voltage clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 23, followed by an emotional showdown against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on March 29—a team Pandya led to the title in 2022.
For Pandya, resilience has been his foundation. Booed during IPL 2024, he rebounded to play a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy triumphs.
"For me, it has always been about never leaving the battlefield. There have been phases where my focus wasn’t on winning but on surviving and holding my ground. I realized that no matter what was happening around me, cricket would always be my greatest ally—it was my way forward. I kept pushing through, and when all the hard work finally paid off, it was beyond anything I could have scripted."
His persistence paid off in spectacular fashion.
"The six-month phase where we won the World Cup, and then the love and support I received—it was a complete 360-degree turnaround. I knew that if I remained honest with my work and gave my best, I would come out stronger. I didn’t know exactly when that would happen, but as they say, destiny had its plan, and in my case, everything changed within two and a half months."
As IPL 2025 kicks off, Pandya’s words go beyond motivation—they are a blueprint for success. The tournament will make or break careers, but for those who dare to believe, the sky is the limit.
