Hardik Pandya entered the T20 World Cup 2024 on the back of a disastrous IPL season as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI).
Under his leadership, the five-time champions finished the season at the bottom of the points table and the all-rounder also endured a disappointing campaign with both bat and ball.
Moreover, Hardik was booed by the MI fans on several stadiums for being appointed captain by the franchise management, replacing Rohit Sharma.
Despite the setbacks, Hardik Pandya stayed strong and made a stunning comeback to help his country win the T20 World Cup title. He defended 15 runs in the final over to script India’s thrilling seven-run over South Africa in the title clash at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday (June 29).
In the nail-biting final, Pandya returned with the bowing figures of 3/20 in his three overs, which included the prized scalps of rampaging Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.
Speaking to Star Sports after India's title-clinching win, Hardik Pandya confessed that he went through a lot in the past six months.
“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.
The all-rounder, who was seen crying after bowling the last over to secure India’s win in the final, hailed pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for his death-over heroics and also gave a special mention to outing head coach Rahul Dravid.
“Credit to Jassi (Bumrah) and the other bowlers for those last 5 overs. Knew it would not help me if I wasn’t calm, wanted to commit 100% to every ball I’ve bowled. I’ve always enjoyed pressure. Very happy for him (Dravid), he’s been a wonderful man, really enjoyed working with him, to give him a farewell like this is wonderful, have had a very good relationship with him and became friends. Very happy for all the support staff,” Hardik added.
