Ashwani Kumar's IPL career also took a turn for the better when he got words of motivation from none other than Hardik Pandya. The young pacer, who made a sensational IPL 2025 debut with Mumbai Indians, had a warm moment which raised his confidence during a game.

Ashwani remembered being interviewed by Trivedi and mentioned a conversation he had with Hardik Pandya. "Hardik Pandya said to me, 'You're a Punjabi, and Punjabis don't get afraid, they make others afraid. It boosted my confidence,'" Trivedi quotes Ashwani. The words of the seasoned all-rounder deeply affected the young bowler, leaving him with a boost of confidence when he most needed it.

Hardik's message was not merely a praise but a word of reminder regarding the fearlessness that characterizes cricketers from Punjab, a region with a reputation of producing some of the most brilliant and bold cricketers of the game. For Ashwani, who had sweated it out hard to finally gain his entry in the IPL, to hear something so uplifting from a senior colleague was a booster for him for his capacity.

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Ashwani's journey to IPL stardom was not without its share of struggles. He had faced innumerable struggles along the way, from financial difficulties to long practice commutes. But Hardik's words of encouragement helped him overcome any negative self-doubt, providing him with the inspiration to perform at the highest level.

With the booster in confidence, Ashwani went on to give a match-winning performance, picking up 4 wickets on his IPL debut against the Kolkata Knight Riders. His rags-to-riches tale is the ultimate symbol of the strength that is in positive motivation and how a well-timed word of advice by an experienced player can turn the life of a young cricketer around.

Ashwani Kumar's tale speaks of the need to have faith in oneself and the ability to bond with teammates to determine a player's career. Full of self-confidence, he will establish himself in the IPL, and who knows, perhaps set the stage alight for the future generation of Punjab cricketers too.