Hardik Pandya BREAKS SILENCE ON MOST DIFFICULT PERIOD OF HIS CAREER

Team India vice-captain Hardik Pandya has finally broken his silence on the toughest phase of his career after Team India lifted the T20 World Cup title. The Men in Blue ended their 11-year ICC title run with a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday (June 29).

Hardik Pandya was one of the key players in India’s T20 World Cup triumph as he took three wickets while conceding 20 runs at an economy rate of 5 in four overs. He was brought into the attack when South Africa needed 16 runs off 6 balls to win but Hardik Pandya kept his cool by conceding just 8 runs and taking a crucial wicket of David Miller to secure a win for Team India.

As soon as India won the T20 World Cup final, Hardik Pandya went down on his knees and got emotional as he managed to clinch victory for the Men in Blue.

Hardik Pandya played a crucial role for the Indian team, not only in the final but also throughout the tournament. Speaking after the final, the star all-rounder spoke about the importance for him and India of winning both World Cups. He added that things have been unfair to him over the past six months, but he has kept his focus and worked hard.

“It means a lot. It’s very emotional. We worked very hard but something was wrong. But today is a day when we have kind of achieved what the entire nation wanted. So many people are supporting us,” Hardik said.

“I think it’s even more special for me how my six months have been…I’ve been very grateful not to say a word. Things have been very unfair, but I believe if I continue to work hard, I will be able to shine and do what I have always done. That sums it up, it was a dream to win, he added.

Hardik Pandya has had a very tough six to seven months. The star all-rounder suffered an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup match against Sri Lanka last year and was eventually ruled out of the tournament. Subsequently, the 31-year-old became the villain in the eyes of Mumbai Indians fans by replacing Rohit Sharma as the captain ahead of IPL 2024.

Hardik Pandya received a hostile reception from the crowd, especially in Mumbai, throughout the match. He was also criticized by fans after Mumbai Indians became the first team to be eliminated from IPL 2024.

‘He’s a wonderful man’: Hardik Pandya on Rahul Dravid

Team India’s head coach Rahul Dravid couldn’t have asked for a better start than guiding the Men in Blue to T20 World Cup triumph. The 2024 T20 World Cup was the final assignment for Dravid and other coaches including Vikram Rathour and Paras Mhambarey as their extended tenure ended with this monumental victory

Talking about Dravid’s contribution to the Indian team, Hardik Pandya hailed the former Indian captain as a “wonderful human being”, adding that he deserved to end his coaching tenure with a victory.

“I’m very happy for him, he’s a wonderful man, I enjoyed working with him. To say goodbye to him like this, for this to be the end of his coaching career, is wonderful. All the support staff have been very integrated over the last three or four years says the all-round star.

With the second T20 World Cup triumph, India became the most successful country alongside West Indies and England in the history of the tournament. The Men in Blue won the T20 World Cup after 17 long years, with their previous victory coming in the inaugural edition of the tournament under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in 2007.

Published on: Sunday, June 30, 2024, 01:32 IST