Harrik Pandya proved his critics wrong with his all-round performance at the ICC T20 World Cup for India. He scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets in the tournament.
In the final, he took 3/20, including the crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Kagiso Rabada, to turn the match in India’s favour. He dismissed Miller and Rabada in the final over as South Africa needed 16 to win.
Hardik Pandya went from being a villain in the IPL to a hero in this T20 World Cup by changing India’s fortunes with the bat and ball. From being hated by everyone, he became everyone’s darling with his outstanding performances in the World Cup.
After India’s World Cup victory, Hardik himself spoke about the tough last few months he had to endure. He did not get the expected results as the captain of the Mumbai Indians and thus had to face harsh criticism from Mumbai Indians fans and even former cricket pundits. He managed to turn everything around in this World Cup campaign and somehow silence his critics.
Also Read: Watch: ‘Crowd doesn’t boo anyone…’ – Hardik Pandya complains to PM Narendra Modi about Rohit Sharma fans
Krunal Pandya’s long and emotional post for his younger brother Hardik
Krunal Pandya, who watched it all from a distance and saw his brother give his all for his country, wrote an emotional message on his official Instagram account as he relived India’s winning journey in the World Cup through his brother. Below is what he wrote as a tribute to his younger brother.
“It’s been almost a decade since Hardik and I started playing professional cricket. And the last few days have been like a fairytale that we have dreamed of. Like all countrymen, I have lived this through the exploits of our team and I couldn’t be more excited with my brother being the centre of attention in all of this.
The last six months have been the toughest for Hardik. He simply did not deserve what happened to him and as a brother, I felt really, really bad for him. From booing to all sorts of unpleasant things, at the end of the day, we all forget that he is just a human being who has emotions too. Somehow, he got through all this with a smile, even though I know how difficult it was for him to smile. He kept working hard and focused on what he needed to do to win the World Cup as that was his ultimate goal.
He has now put his whole heart into making India’s long-held dream come true, and nothing has meant more to him. Since the age of 6, playing for his country and winning the World Cup has been his dream.
I just want to remind people that what Hardik has done in such a short span of his career is incredible. His efforts for the national team have never been compromised. At every stage of his life, people have written him off, and that has only motivated him to come back even stronger.
For Hardik, the country has always come first and it will always be that way. For a youngster who hails from Baroda, there can be no greater achievement than helping his team win the World Cup. Hardik, I am so, so proud of you. I love you so much and you deserve all the happiness and all the good things that are coming your way. I have immense respect for you, my bachhu,” Krunal wrote as he let out his emotions.
For Team India, it was their first ICC title in 13 years. India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and now the T20 World Cup in 2024. This is India’s second T20 World Cup title and their first since their inaugural T20 World Cup win in 2007.
Also Read: 2007 or 2024? Rohit Sharma picks best T20 World Cup campaign for India
