Hardik Pandya played a key role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph after a tough IPL campaign.
From facing the wrath of jeering Mumbai Indians (MI) fans to script India’s historic T20 World Cup 2024 title win, Hardik Pandya completed his stunning turnaround at the grandest stage last week.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, Hardik left the Gujarat Titans in a sensational all-cash deal to join MI. He was also handed the captaincy by the franchise management, replacing Rohit Sharma.
This decision, however, wasn’t well received by a section of Mumbai fans, who heckled the all-rounder during the cash-rich league in different venues.
However, Hardik Pandya stayed calm and focused all this while. He went on to play a critical role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph and became the fan-favorite all over again.
On Friday (July 6), Hardik graced the occasion of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's Sangeet ceremony at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.
During the function, Nita Ambani addressed the star-studded gathering, showering praise on Hardik Pandya, saying that tough times don't last forever but tough people do.
"There is one teenager that we discovered. Who were all holding their breaths in the last over. He proved one thing tough times don't last forever, tough people do. The biggest round of applause for Hardik Pandya," she said.
Besides Hardik, India skipper Rohit Sharma and middle-order star Suryakumar Yadav, who also play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, were also present at the function.
Here’s the video:
Hardik Pandya’s performance in the T20 World Cup was nothing sort of remarkable. He defended 15 runs in the final over to script India’s tense seven-run victory over South Africa in the title clash at the Kensington Oval, Barbados.
Overall, Hardik claimed 11 wickets from eight innings and scored 144 runs from six innings in the global showpiece event. His best batting performance came against Bangladesh when he slammed 50* off 27 balls in the second Super 8 fixture.
Hardik Pandya is likely to return to action during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month.