Hardik Pandya completed two years in ODI cricket last Tuesday. Having made his debut against New Zealand at Dharamsala, he has made a swift transition to Test cricket since his international debut [T20I v Australia at Adelaide Oval] in 2016.

Pandya indicated that it would have been hard to imagine playing all three formats two to three years ago. "I never expected it to pan out this way. God has been really kind to me," a relaxed-looking Pandya told mid-day in the city yesterday. Currently recuperating from a back injury that he sustained against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Dubai, the India all-rounder was in the city to promote Eume, a backpack brand. Pandya will donate 100 backpacks to India's budding gymnasts.