Hardik Pandya, the all-rounder from India and recent hero of the T20 World Cup, was warmly welcomed upon his return to his hometown of Vadodra in Gujarat. His crucial wicket of South African batsman David Miller during the final over of the T20 World Cup final was a pivotal moment in the match, marking a redemption for the player after a challenging six months. In a video posted by news agency ANI, Hardik and his brother Krunal can be seen greeting the crowd while donning the blue attire of Team India. Pandya is captured standing on a vehicle with a banner that reads ‘Hardik Pandya; Pride of Vadodra’.
Hardik’s redemption during T20 World Cup 2024:
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya performed exceptionally well, scoring 144 runs in six matches at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a highest score of 50*. On the bowling front, the 30-year-old cricketer took 11 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64. This year’s T20 World Cup marked a significant victory for the Men in Blue, being the first ICC tournament they won since the Champions Trophy in 2013.
The tournament served as a platform for Pandya to exhibit his skills, particularly during a challenging period in his cricketing career. Pandya had faced an injury during the previous year’s ODI World Cup and only returned to play in the 2024 IPL, where he assumed the captaincy of Mumbai Indians from Rohit Sharma. However, the fans expressed discontent over the change, directing their frustrations towards the new captain, who faced constant booing and taunting from the crowds at various stadiums in India. Additionally, rumors about Pandya’s divorce from his wife Nataša Stanković began circulating on social media, further adding to the challenges he was facing.