West Indies veteran Kieron Pollard heaped effusive praise on India all-rounder and his Mumbai Indians teammate in the IPL, Hardik Pandya, for his astonishing rise after overcoming many life obstacles in an unabashed cricketing journey so far. 

Hardik, an MI mainstay, has played 11 Tests, 54 ODIs and 38 T20Is in his India career so far. He is a key member of the national side, especially in white-ball cricket. 

"I have seen him from when he started at Mumbai and I am not surprised," Pollard told IANS about Hardik. "He has turned into an Indian superstar. The way he carries himself and the manner in which Hardik plays emulates how he is off the field and sometimes when you see guys like that, we as individuals who are very conservative tend to always have negative things to say."

"But, you know, when you are a confident person off the field and you can take that on to the field and perform, I think that shows great mettle in the human itself."

Hardik was suspended by BCCI earlier this year following his controversial remarks on a talk show, along with India teammate KL Rahul. 

He had to fly back home midway from the tour of Australia and even his World Cup participation looked in doubt, before thankfully the case was closed in time after legal proceedings and he could renew playing for India. 

"He has gone through a lot in his little time, but he can only get better from here. He puts in a lot of hard work. I am not overly surprised at what he is doing at this point of time," Pollard said. 

Hardik struck  402 runs in 15 innings and scalped 14 wickets for Mumbai Indians in IPL this year. 

He carried the magnificent form forward to the World Cup in UK and was then rested for the tour of West Indies. 

The 25-year-old will return to action in September after being picked for the home T20I series against South Africa.  

(Inputs from IANS)