Life can be very surprising at times. Moreover, for a sportsperson, it can be extremely tough and demanding.
Not convinced? Let's consider the case of India's pace bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya. He has undergone a lots of twists and turns in both professional and personal lives in recent times.
After India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29, 2024, Hardik once again was at his peak as a player ,with his stunning and consistent performance in India's title winning endeavour.
With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja bowing out from the T20Is after the World Cup 2024 triumph, it was expected that Hardik would succeed Rohit as Team India's T20I captain.
But with Gautam Gambhir taking over as Team India's Head Coach and his preference for captains in different formats, who may not have workload management issues and injury concerns, the dynamics changed.
Hardik was overlooked for the captainship role for the T20Is, the format he prefers to play. Instead his Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as the skipper and young Shubman Gill was entrusted with the vice captain's role.
Will that affect Hardik? May be, may not be.
Because Hardik in recent times has faced several challenges on and off the field. Once projected as Team India's T20I captain after Rohit Sharma, he has certainly been overlooked.
In the past, he has led Team India and was in news as Gujarat Titans (GT)'s leader in the IPL. Under his able leadership, GT won the IPL championship in 2022 and the next season finished runners-up.
That was an excellent beginning for captain Hardik. Even leading India in limited opportunities, he was impressive.
But once he switched on to Mumbai Indians in 2024 season, his old franchise and replaced Rohit Sharma as the MI skipper, things became tough for him.
He was booed and targeted by MI fans for replacing Rohit. His personal performance as a player deteriorated and MI struggled throughout IPL 2024.
But in between, his wife Natasha Stankovic separated from him. Hardik had to bear the pain of separation from his wife and son Agastya.
However, his all-round show in T20 World Cup 2024 was greeted and cheered by fans. Many expected him to lead India in T20Is, which did not come true.
India presently have a good number of all-rounders in the white ball formats. But none of them are actually, even closer to pace bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Because Hardik can win matches with the bat and ball, or both. Being an excellent fielder and an able leader, he is for sure a rare cricketer.
Family setbacks and T20I captainship snub are tough challenges for him. But it is up to Hardik to prove his mettle, commitment and passion for the game as a real performer, which he has been so far. Indeed, it's difficult to face life at times as Hardik.
But Hardik being a very unique player and mentally tough, his fans and well wishers would love to see him come back as a bigger match-winner again.
