Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had a perfect redemption arc after an unsuccessful Indian Premier League (IPL) season as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain. Pandya was booed wherever he went as fans were not happy with him succeeding Rohit Sharma as captain. After going through never-ending trolling on social media and heckling in real life, Pandya had his moment in the sun in T20 World Cup 2024. While many questioned his place in the side, Pandya silenced all of them when he showed up for the team and changed the game with just one delivery. He got the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen to help India make a comeback and help them beat South Africa by seven runs to lift T20 World Cup 2024 trophy. After the win, an emotional Ambati Rayudu dared anyone to boo Pandya when he comes back to India.
"I think it is great on his part. Such great mental strength and now I dare anybody to boo him in India. You know, if you can. If you can try and do that, you will know you will know it and he is an amazing individual and I have played with him, you know, in my state team. And he's an amazing guy, an amazing human being, and that's why that's why he could come through this storm, get through this storm that he had just a few months back and to come back that strongly is unbelievable and you know he's a world champion now," Rayudu said on Star Sports.
Rayudu hails match winner
The cricketer-turned commentator Rayudu had walked down to the dugout during the IPL 2024 and consoled a dejected Pandya. He lauded India’s match winner in the final who broke down in tears after bowling the final over of the match.
"He's been a match winner for India for a very, very long time and today he has shown it again. You know his value in the fight by picking that wicket of Klaasen and then totally finishing the game for India. Look at that. Look at that emotion," the 38-year-old added.
Hardik lets his emotions out
The Baroda all-rounder was named in the team of the tournament. He let his emotions out after ensuring India end ICC trophy drought.
“It means a lot. Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven’t spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do. Getting an opportunity like this makes it more special. We always believed, it was just about executing our plans and staying calm and letting the pressure come to them,” Hardik said after the win in Barbados.
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