Hardik Pandya recalls late father's sacrifices

Hardik Pandya, India’s flamboyant all-rounder, became emotional on Sunday, recalling how his late father changed cities to fulfil a little boy’s cricketing dreams.

If Virat Kohli (82 not out) stole the show with his magnificent knock in India’s four-wicket triumph against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener, star all-rounder Hardik (40) was the ideal ally as the team recovered from a shaky start to win.

“I was only thinking about my dad. I have not cried about my dad. I love my son, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do for him what my dad did for me. He moved cities for a six-and-a-half-year-old boy’s dreams without knowing I’d get to where I am today. So this is for him,” said Hardik on Star Sports.

“I will be grateful forever. If he hadn’t given me a chance, I won’t be standing here. He made a big sacrifice, he shifted to a different city for his kids. We were six at that time, and he shifted an entire city and his entire business. It was a big thing,” a teary-eyed Hardik added.

Hardik scored 40 from 37 balls as part of a 113-run fifth-wicket stand.

While the all-rounder was not at his most aggressive, Hardik, who had earlier in the day picked up three wickets with the ball in a brilliant stint, did play a crucial part in allowing Kohli to play his natural game at the other end.