(AFP Photo)
Following his pivotal role in guiding the Men in Blue to victory at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya took to his social media to share an inspiring video chronicling his journey.
Overcoming significant challenges, including injuries and controversies, Pandya made a remarkable comeback to the India National Cricket Team. His standout moment came in the final match against South Africa in the Caribbean, where he defended 16 runs in the last over, securing India’s second ICC World T20 title.
Comeback Greater Than Setback – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya chose Instagram as his platform to deliver an uplifting message detailing his journey back to form. The video he shared underscored his resilient recovery from injury, the hurdles faced during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, and culminated in his triumphant performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.
“Make your comeback greater than your setback. Always,” Pandya wrote while sharing the inspiring video.
Despite facing severe criticism and fan backlash after assuming captaincy from Rohit Sharma at the Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya endured a challenging IPL 2024 season where the team was the first to be eliminated. His performances with bat and ball were below expectations in the Indian T20 tournament.
However, Pandya’s redemption came swiftly during the recent T20 World Cup. He showcased remarkable form, amassing 144 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 48 and a striking strike rate of 151.57. As a pacer, he scalped 11 crucial wickets in eight matches with an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, achieving his best figures of 3/20.
India broke an 11-year ICC trophy drought by clinching victory against South Africa, winning by seven runs in the final held at Barbados on June 29. A poignant moment captured Pandya in tears during the celebrations, highlighting the emotional significance of the win for him and the Indian team.
Hardik Pandya to captain Team India against Sri Lanka.
According to a PTI report, the BCCI has opted to give captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah a break for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. As a result, Hardik Pandya is in contention to lead the team in their absence, with KL Rahul also under consideration for the role.
Hardik Pandya recently served as the vice-captain to Rohit Sharma during the T20 World Cup 2024, while KL Rahul led the Indian cricket team during the last ODI series against South Africa in December 2023. The Men in Blue are set to commence a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on August 2.
Additionally, Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested from the T20I segment of the Sri Lanka series. This strategic rest period is deemed essential for these senior players considering India’s packed upcoming schedule, which includes home Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand, followed by the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
