Hardik Pandya had one of his best seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the captain of eventual champions Gujarat Titans (GT). The 28-year-old star was at his best yet again during their final against Rajasthan Royals (RR) picking up three wickets and hitting an unbeaten 34 runs in 30 balls and winning the Player of the Match as well.
And now, having skippered his team to the IPL 2022 trophy, Pandya has set his sights on winning one of the highest recognitions that a team can win in international cricket — the ICC T20 World Cup. Pandya's excellent performances this season have earned him a return to the national side and the GT skipper will hope to carry this winning momentum and mentality into the national team dressing room.
"Absolutely to win the World Cup for India no matter what happens," Hardik said after the match. "I am gonna give it everything I have. Always been the kind of guy to put the team first. For me the goal will be simple: to make sure my team gets it the most.
"Playing for India has always been a kind of dream come true no matter how many games I have played. It has always been a pleasure for me to represent the country. The kind of love and support I have got is only from the Indian team's point of view. Long term, short term, I want to win the World Cup no matter what happens."
Hardik has come close to winning an ICC title with India on three occasions, but all three ended in heartbreak. In 2016, his final over against Bangladesh carried India into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup where they lost to the West Indies. In the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan next very year, he displayed some of his hitting prowess in a brilliant innings but it was too little and too late.
In the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, Hardik and Rishabh Pant carried out a mini rescue after India lost three early wickets, but New Zealand eventually defeated the Men in Blue.
But Pandya has a better record in the IPL, having won the trophy every time they reached the playoffs, four times with Mumbai Indians (MI) and now with Gujarat. Pandya feels this victory is slightly more special given that he captained the side to the coveted trophy.
"Obviously this will be a little special because I have won it as a captain. The four that I have won before this are equally special too. Winning IPL is always special. I consider myself very lucky that I have played five finals, and have lifted the trophy five times. Obviously, this will leave a legacy because we are a new franchise, playing for the first time, and we are champions in the first season. But the four that I have won before this were equally special," he said.
