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Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, in a highly candid and heartfelt interview with JioHotstar in the build up to the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, told of his roller-coaster story, his personal development, and how his partner Mahieka Sharma had helped him rekindle his interest in playing the game again. The clip, called Then and Now with Hardik Pandya" was aired on February 17, 2026, and instantly had a huge level of viral popularity due to its emotional undertones and sincerity.

Hardik was brought back into one of his most memorable moments which was the dramatic last over defence against Bangladesh in the 2016 T20 world cup where he saved India by scoring only 10 runs in the end which was under so much pressure. That is what started me off, said he. That experience was one of many I got above, but it was the one which had me thinking I fit in this grade.

Then he talked of his latest period of self-doubt, especially following a frustrating IPL 2025 and ailment injuries. I realised that I was not using 40 per cent of my potential in batting. I spent some time to discover a way of bringing that out, Hardik confessed. That is when Mahieka entered my life. We began discussing the sport and how to restore that child. She made me get that excitement about the game which I never lost in the first place.

The most quoted phrase in the interview was the phrase, I think the child in me, the cricket geek, who is ever present. Hardik told why he turned his attention away after bowling confidence, to unleashing his batting flair: "I went out of the limelight, toiled, toiled, six or seven hours on the ground one day. I was the last to get out of the NCA and turn the lights off.

He attributed the rediscovery of the unadulterated happiness and curiosity that were lost in the onslaught and the criticism to Mahieka. It was something that reminded me of the reasons when I fell in love with cricket not because it was going to make me famous, not because it will bring me money, but it is just the game.

He said it was what reminded him of the reasons that I had fallen in love with cricket not because it would make me famous, not because it would make me a lot of money, it was simply the game.

His leadership development with Mumbai Indians, fatherhood and balancing with the son of Natasa Stankovic, his state of mind going to the T20 world cup defence in India and Sri Lanka also featured in the interview. Hardik accompanied the focus on remaining up to speed and alert-minded enough even during the high-stakes confrontation with Pakistan.

Such vulnerability and maturity was cheered on by fans and experts, and many of them dubbed it as one of the most relatable interviews that he has ever conducted. The child in me philosophy theologically promoted by Hardik has been adopted by the young cricketers everywhere as India carries its robust campaign.

The entire interview could be relived on JioHotstar to see how Hardik can become a hero in 2016 and perhaps a leader in 2026.