Winning the T20 World Cup final was “more special” for Hardik Pandya because of his “very unfair” recent treatment, the India all-rounder said in the aftermath of his side’s victory.
Pandya came into the T20 World Cup on the back of a tough Indian Premier League campaign. After a high-profile transfer back to Mumbai Indians, taking over as captain from India skipper Rohit Sharma, his side finished bottom of the IPL 2024 points table, with Pandya coming in for significant criticism. He was regularly booed by both Mumbai Indians' and rival teams' fans.
“It means a lot,” he told the host broadcaster. “It’s very emotional. We’ve been working very hard but something was not clicking. I think today was a day where we could feel what the whole nation wanted, so many people supporting. It’s more special for me [after] my six months. I've been very graceful of not speaking a word. Things have been very unfair but I believed that if I keep working hard, I will be able to shine and do what I’ve always done, and that sums everything up. It was a dream to win, and getting an opportunity like this makes it even more special.”
Redemption for Hardik Pandya after the way he was unfortunately treated in IPL by very small sections.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 29, 2024
On the game itself, Pandya revelled in India’s stunning comeback. With five overs to go, South Africa needed a run a ball with six wickets in hand, but India applied the pressure superbly to prevail.
“We always believed we can do it, it was just about if we execute our plans, stay calm and let the pressure come to them,” Pandya said. “Credit to Jassy [Jasprit Bumrah] and the fast bowlers, the way they bowled those last four or five overs changed everything. It was about time to get it.”
Pandya played a key role with the ball, taking 3-20, including the vital wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, and bowling the final over as India closed out a seven-run win to end a 17-year wait for a World Cup trophy. He immediately broke down in tears.
“I knew if I’m not going to be calm, it’s not going to help me, so for me it was still that I execute my plans, and every ball I bowl I commit 100 per cent,” he said. “I’ve been in this situation, I’ve not won it, but for me I’ve always enjoyed pressure situations. All of a sudden my heartbeat increased as well when the time came.”
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