India all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Sunday said he began his career as a "pure batter" and credited hard work and a willingness to go the extra mile for his rise as one of the country's most valuable cricketers. From his Ranji Trophy debut in 2013 to breaking into the Indian Premier League in 2015, when Mumbai Indians won their second title, Pandya has come a long way, going on to play key roles in India's T20 World Cup triumphs in 2024 and 2026.

"I was just a pure batter who batted all his 17-19 years of young age... I only knew one thing, if you tell people to run 12 rounds, I ran 15 rounds. So from there out of the blue, someone sees me and one year later I play Ranji Trophy," said the 32-year-old at an MI promotional event here. Widely regarded as a genuine two-in-one player in limited-overs cricket, Pandya's ability to deliver with both bat and ball and as a finisher and a wicket-taking option has made him indispensable.