India wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma said Hardik Pandya was the first person to message him after he missed out on T20 World Cup 2026 squad. "Hardik said just grow as a person as a cricketer. That's it," he added. Jitesh remarked that both Hardik and Krunal Pandya are very helpful, adding, "Hardik gave me a bat once without me asking."