Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani recalls the inspiring journey of Hardik and Krunal Pandya, who struggled financially before becoming IPL stars.
February 17, 2025: ‘For Three Years, They Ate Only Maggi’: Nita Ambani on Hardik & Krunal Pandya’s Struggles Before IPL Fame
Mumbai Indians (MI) owner Nita Ambani has revealed the hardships faced by Hardik and Krunal Pandya before their rise in Indian cricket. Speaking about MI’s scouting process, Ambani recalled her first meeting with the Pandya brothers, where they admitted to surviving on only Maggi noodles for three years due to financial struggles.
Ambani shared the emotional story at an event, highlighting MI’s role in discovering and nurturing cricketing talent.
“One day, our scouts brought two young, lanky, thin boys to the MI camp. I was talking to them, and they said that for three years, they had eaten nothing but Maggi noodles because they had no money,” she said.
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“But in them, I saw the spirit, the passion, and the hunger to make it big. Those two brothers were Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya.”
Hardik’s Rise From ₹8 Lakh Signing to MI Captain
Hardik was picked by Mumbai Indians for $10,000 (₹8 lakh) in 2015, a move that changed his life. Within a few years, he became one of India’s premier all-rounders, winning multiple IPL titles with MI.
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“In 2015, I bought Hardik Pandya in the auction, and today, he is the proud captain of Mumbai Indians,” Ambani said.
Krunal Pandya, too, played a crucial role for MI, winning matches with his bat and left-arm spin, before moving on to captain Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
MI’s Eye for Talent: Bumrah, Tilak Varma, and More
Ambani also shared how Mumbai Indians identified Jasprit Bumrah before he became a world-class pacer.
“Our scouts brought a young bowler with an odd action. They told me, ‘Watch him bowl.’ We watched him, and he could just speak to the ball. That was our Bumrah, and the rest is history.”
She added that MI continues to be a “nursery of Indian cricket”, mentioning how Tilak Varma—who debuted in 2022—has now earned a place in Team India.
“We launched Tilak Varma, and now he is a proud member of Team India. Mumbai Indians is rightly called the nursery of Indian cricket,” Ambani concluded.
From eating Maggi to leading Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya’s journey is nothing short of inspirational, and it proves how MI’s scouting process continues to shape future cricket stars.