Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani recently spoke about how the franchise discovered some of its biggest stars, such as Hardik and Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Tilak Varma. Speaking in Boston, she opened up about the thorough scouting process that enabled the Mumbai-based IPL franchise to spot and develop these future cricketing legends.
Ambani reminisced about how, in the early days, she herself went to watch Ranji Trophy games, usually in half-empty stadia, to spot raw talent. With limited resources and a dream to develop a solid core, Mumbai Indians focused on hungry young players over costly stars. That’s where she first laid eyes on Hardik and Krunal Pandya—two lanky boys with a fiery passion to do well.
“I would attend each Ranji Trophy game, where there were only two crows present in the crowd,” Nita Ambani stated in a video posted by ANI. “One day, two boys were brought to our camp by our scouts. I spoke to them and they informed me that they had lived on Maggi noodles for three years because they couldn’t afford anything else. But there was spirit, passion, and an unbending desire to do well in their eyes. Those boys were Hardik and Krunal Pandya.”
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Her belief in them came good. Mumbai Indians acquired Hardik Pandya for a mere $10,000 during the IPL auction in 2015. He has come a long way to become one of the world’s best all-rounders, taking MI to several championship titles. Presently, he is the captain of the franchise, a full circle for the team and the player.
#WATCH | Boston, US: Reliance Foundation Founder-Chairperson Nita Ambani tells how she scouted for new talent for the Mumbai Indians team and included Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Tilak Varma in the team
She says, “In IPL, we all have a fixed budget, so every… pic.twitter.com/v0HriPJH8T
— ANI (@ANI) February 17, 2025
His older brother, Krunal, followed him to MI a year later and has also been a big hit in the league, contributing with bat and ball. Ambani also told the tale of how Mumbai Indians found Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best fast bowlers in world cricket today.
Ambani also narrated the story of how Mumbai Indians discovered Jasprit Bumrah, now one of the finest fast bowlers in world cricket. “The next year, our scouts brought in a young cricketer with an unusual bowling action and told me, ‘Watch him bowl.’ Lasith Malinga and I observed him, and Malinga turned to me and said, ‘Mrs. Ambani, you need to watch out for him.’ That was Jasprit Bumrah. And the rest, as they say, is history.”
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The franchise’s commitment to nurturing young players continues. In recent years, Mumbai Indians identified Tilak Varma, who has since become a key member of Team India. Ambani proudly called MI “the nursery of Indian cricket,” a testament to the team’s ability to turn unknown players into superstars.
