India all-rounder Hardik Pandya starred with an excellent final over in the T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa in Barbados on Saturday. He successfully defended 16 runs as India won the final by 7 runs and became two-time T20 World Champs.
The Team India vice-captain said he believes in leading his life with a lot of grace and he has no issues with people who don’t know him one percent but said a lot about him in the middle of his disappointing IPL 2024 campaign.
Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 and took over captaincy from Rohit Sharma in a much-criticized move. Couple that with MI’s poor performance in the tournament and Hardik’s inability to elevate his game, which led to the franchise crashing out before playoffs.
Hardik was booed and jeered wherever MI played in IPL 2024 including at home in Mumbai. However, Hardik believes he has silenced his critics with his superlative performance with the ball and the bat in the T20 World Cup.
“I believe in grace. A lot was said by people who don’t even know me one percent as a person. People have spoken, no issues but I have always believed in life that you never respond with words, circumstances can respond.
Even in difficult times, they don’t last forever. It is important to be graceful, whether you win or lose. It is time for fans and everyone else to learn that (to be graceful). We need to find better ways to conduct yourself. I am sure the same people will be happy,” said Hardik after the T20 World Cup final.
Hardik defended 16 runs in the final to ensure a famous win for his team. He also spoke about possibly getting the T20I captaincy on a full-time basis. The next T20 World Cup is in India in 2026 but he is not looking too far ahead.
“To be honest, I was enjoying. Very few get these life-changing opportunities. It could have gone the other way as well today but I see it glass half full and not glass half empty. I was not taking pressure and focussing on my skill sets. This was a moment written in the stars,” he said when asked about the high-pressure scenario.
2026 is a long time away. Very happy for Rohit and Virat. Very special two giants of Indian cricket who thoroughly deserved this. Been amazing playing this format with them. We will miss them but this is the best farewell they could get. Happy for them to end like this,” added the star all-rounder.
(ANI inputs)
