“Cricket is very dangerous”: When Hardik Pandya advised young children to always prefer education over cricket

The story of Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is an inspiring one for many cricketers around. In many interviews, Pandya has revealed how he used to survive by just eating noodles because of the financial conditions, but he is one of the highest-paid Indian cricketers at the moment.

Pandya’s father had a car finance business in Surat, but he shut it down in order to give the best cricketing facilities to both Hardik and Krunal. The decision was not easy, but both of the Pandya brothers did prove their worth. Hardik got his first IPL contract in 2015 at the age of 22.

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Hardik even sacrificed his education to do well in cricket, but he does not suggest the other youngsters do the same. He completed his education just till 9th standard to give his 100% on the game. Pandya’s decision paid him fortunes, but it cannot be the same for all.

Hardik Pandya advised children to always prefer education over cricket

Hardik Pandya went on the show Breakfast with Champions, where he said that a lot of children ask him whether they should compromise their education for cricket, to which Pandya said that one should always prefer education over the sport. He also had a reason for the same.

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“Abhi mujhe koi puchta h ki sir cricket khelu ya padhai karu to main bolta hu padhai kar, [When someone asks me that sir should I play cricket or study then I say do studies],” Hardik Pandya said on the show.

Pandya explained by saying that he took a very big risk by choosing the game as cricket is quite dangerous, and there is a lot of competition. He insists that you have to be very lucky and best as well in order to reach the top level, whereas if you have proper education, you can use it throughout life.

“I took a risk with my life and you should not do it because cricket is very dangerous. If you study, your education doesn’t go away, it stays with you and you get a job according to that. But in cricket, you have to be at the top level and I know to reach there is not a piece of cake. It’s difficult and it’s not like everyone would get it. I might be the luckiest one but to reach there you have to be really really really best,” Pandya added.