(Source X)
Hardik Pandya, the versatile all-rounder for Team India, took to his social media to reflect on his challenging journey, amid swirling rumors regarding his tenure as T20I captain. He shared a poignant narrative of his transformation since a severe injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil.
During last year’s World Cup, Pandya was sidelined due to an ankle injury, a setback he courageously overcame. His resilience shone through as he not only returned to lead the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 but also played a pivotal role in Team India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024.
Throughout the tournament, the 30-year-old showcased his all-round prowess, claiming 11 wickets across eight matches and amassing 144 runs with an impressive strike rate of 151.57. His impact culminated in a stellar performance in the final against South Africa, where he scalped three crucial wickets and defended 16 runs in a nail-biting last over.
Hard Work Doesn’t Go Unnoticed – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya took to Instagram on Wednesday, July 17, reflecting on his arduous path following a freak injury during the 2023 World Cup. Sharing two poignant pictures, he expressed his joy at India’s T20 World Cup victory, emphasizing that dedication and perseverance always yield results.
Amidst speculation over India’s T20I captaincy, with reports suggesting Suryakumar Yadav might replace Rohit Sharma, Pandya’s post also underscored his pivotal role as Rohit’s deputy during the triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
“Was a difficult journey after the freak 2023 WC injury but well worth the effort with the T20 WC win. The results come as long as you put in the effort. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Let’s all try our best and work on our fitness,” Hardik wrote.
Hardik Pandya has had a rollercoaster ride in recent months, marked by significant ups and downs. Following his appointment as captain of the Mumbai Indians, replacing Rohit Sharma, Pandya faced severe criticism. Fans expressed their disapproval, even booing him at various stadiums, notably at the Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Indians endured a challenging season, finishing at the bottom of the table with only four victories to their name.
Suryakumar Yadav To Replace Rohit Sharma As T20I Captain?
With the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20Is, Hardik Pandya is set to step into a more prominent leadership role within the team. Initially seen as the top candidate to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s T20I captain, recent updates indicate that Suryakumar Yadav is now the favored choice to lead the Indian T20I squad during their upcoming series in Sri Lanka.
“Although Gambhir did not directly pitch for Surya in the call, he made it amply clear that he would want to work with a captain whose workload does not become a stumbling block. Agarkar was clear with his views,” a BCCI official said.
Pandya boasts a wealth of captaincy experience compared to Suryakumar. He has led India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, in addition to steering both the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. On the other hand, Suryakumar has captained India in seven T20Is, guiding the team to a notable 4-1 series victory against Australia and a 1-1 draw in South Africa.
