Indian T20 World Cup 2024 vice-captain Hardik Pandya thanked his fans for welcoming him in Baroda after Men in Blue won the tournament defeating South Africa in the final to end their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.
After the team's T20 World Cup triumph, Hardik received a warm welcome in his home city, Vadodara, on Monday. The 30-year-old also attended a roadshow followed by breakfast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to celebrate Team India's win in the T20 World Cup.
Taking to X (formerly known as twitter), Hardik thanked fans for a "surreal" welcome back home, which made him experience "so many emotions".
"Surreal Thank you for all the love Baroda, thank you for the support and thank you for making this such a special day. So many emotions, but always grateful," he said.
Hardik scored 144 runs in his six outings of the multinational tournament with an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a half-century and best score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with the best figures of 3/20.
Hardik who is currently in rest will now lead team India in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka which is scheduled to start from July 27 and the first match will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla, Sri Lanka.
Hardik's T20I captaincy record
Pandya who was vice-captain of the Indian side in the T20 World Cup 2024 led the team after the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal exit in the absence of Rohit. Pandya led India in 16 T20Is. India won 10, lost five whereas one ended in a tie due to rain interruption. But an injury in the ODI World Cup 2023 sidelined him for months.
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