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Renowned Indian commentator Aakash Chopra commended Hardik Pandya for his outstanding performance in the India vs Pakistan match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, highlighting Pandya’s ability to transform fans’ disapproval into admiration during the tournament.
Notably, Pandya faced criticism from fans during the IPL 2024 season. After switching from Gujarat Titans to his former team Mumbai Indians, Pandya also assumed the role of captaincy, replacing Rohit Sharma. This decision irked both sets of fans: Gujarat Titans supporters were displeased with Pandya’s departure from the captaincy, while Mumbai Indians fans were dismayed by Rohit Sharma’s removal as skipper.
Subsequently, when Pandya led Mumbai Indians, he encountered boos and negative feedback from the crowd. However, Pandya seems to have won back their support with his commendable performance for the Indian team in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
During the India vs Pakistan match, Aakash Chopra observed the entire stadium chanting ‘Hardik, Hardik’.
Former cricketer and now commentator Aakash Chopra has praised Hardik Pandya for his remarkable performance in the India vs Pakistan match. During his YouTube show, Chopra noted that the same fans who previously expressed disapproval were now enthusiastically cheering for Pandya inside the stadium.
Hardik Pandya – people booed him so much, and how life changes. I saw the entire ground shouting ‘Hardik, Hardik’ and a lot of love for him. Cricket is a great leveler. If you perform well, people who were abusing you will also praise you. They will pray for your success,” the 45-year-old said.
Chopra, a former Indian cricketer from the 2003-04 era, also believes that Pandya has transformed criticism into acclaim through his exceptional performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
“I learned one thing we Indians are extremely lucky. We have 140 crore people and whoever follows cricket, prays for you, even though they don’t know you. This is the biggest blessing. So Hardik Pandya has also turned that around. He has been outstanding,” the former India opener further added.
Pandya made a notable impact with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets for 24 runs against Pakistan. While his batting contribution was limited to just 7 runs, failing to maximize scoring opportunities in the death overs, Pandya showcased a remarkable resurgence in his bowling performance.
Bowling a tidy spell of four overs, Pandya conceded a mere 24 runs at an economy rate of 6.0. His pivotal breakthroughs included the dismissals of Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan, dealing significant blows to Pakistan’s batting lineup.
India successfully defended their modest total of 119 runs, restricting Pakistan to 113-7 in their allotted 20 overs. Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar three-wicket haul earned him the player-of-the-match award. Pandya’s bowling prowess was evident in the previous encounter against Ireland as well, where he secured three wickets for 27 runs in his quota of four overs.
With two victories in as many games, India currently leads Group A in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The group also includes Pakistan, USA, Canada, and Ireland. India’s next challenge awaits against the USA on Wednesday, June 12, in New York.
