India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, became emotional and shed tears after the Men in Blue clinched the T20 World Cup title. He opened up about the tough six months leading up to the tournament, during which he remained silent and didn’t say a word. In an interview with the broadcaster post-match, Pandya shared that he hadn’t lost his temper once despite things going wrong, making the victory even more significant. Mumbai Indians (MI) fans and social media critics were particularly harsh on Pandya during the Indian Premier League 2024.
HARDIK PANDYA – YOU CHAMPION!
An emotional speech by Hardik about his tough times, he redeemed himself like a true hero. 🫡🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/l8mwdyqqIs
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 30, 2024
MI re-signed Hardik Pandya after his two-year tenure with the Gujarat Titans (GT), where he led the team to a title victory in their debut season in 2022. However, replacing Rohit Sharma as captain resulted in significant social media backlash for both Pandya and the franchise. Pandya faced boos from crowds in stadiums across India during the matches.
Pandya mentioned that the Indian team remained calm throughout the game, always confident in their ability to win. Despite facing relentless trolling during the Indian Premier League on both personal and professional fronts, Pandya delivered what could be considered the World Cup-winning moment by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen.
Pandya expressed that the victory meant a great deal to him, highlighting the hard work the team had put in despite facing challenges. He reflected on the last six months, during which he remained silent and felt things had been unfair. However, he believed that his hard work would eventually pay off. The opportunity to contribute significantly made the win even more special. He noted that the team always believed in their ability to execute their plans, stay calm, and let the pressure fall on their opponents.
As the pressure mounted, India clawed their way back into the game during the final over, with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah delivering an exceptional performance. Their efforts helped India secure a 7-run victory. Bumrah’s remarkable 15-wicket haul throughout the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
Pandya credited Jasprit Bumrah and the other bowlers for their exceptional performance in the last five overs. He emphasized the importance of staying calm and committing 100% to every ball he bowled, noting that he thrives under pressure. Pandya expressed his happiness for Bumrah’s achievements.
The all-rounder also expressed his happiness for the departing head coach, Rahul Dravid.
He added that Rahul Dravid has been a wonderful person to work with and that he truly enjoyed their time together. Giving Dravid a farewell like this was special, as they developed a strong relationship and became friends. He also expressed his gratitude towards all the support staff for their contributions.
The stadium buzzed with an electrifying atmosphere. Filled with excitement, the Indian players rushed onto the pitch to join the celebrations as the dugout emptied. A loud cacophony rippled through the stadium as the audience roared with joy. Meanwhile, for South Africa, it was another heartbreaking defeat.
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