(PTI Photo)
During the IPL 2024 season, Hardik Pandya stoically endured the torrent of boos and insults thrown his way. Rather than letting it rattle him, Pandya maintained his composure, focusing resolutely on his game. He understood that a string of stellar performances would inevitably turn the tide, converting the same detractors into fervent admirers.
Fast forward to July 4th at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, the atmosphere was electric with chants of ‘Hardik, Hardik’ as he proudly hoisted the World Cup trophy amidst a sea of fans. Ishan Kishan, Pandya’s teammate for both India and Mumbai Indians, closely observed his senior’s journey, having trained alongside him during the IPL buildup.
“I had a gut feeling that he (Pandya) was saving it all for the World Cup. I will never forget his words: ‘Ek baar performance aa jaaye fir jo aaj gaali de rahe wahi taaliyaan bajayenge (Once I start performing, those who are abusing me will be clapping for me). This is what he told me when I was also going through a really tough time. He said ‘let people talk, we will do our best and give 100 percent to the game we love’,” Ishan told The Indian Express.
Pandya has openly discussed the period leading up to the T20 World Cup, highlighting his contribution of 144 runs and 11 crucial wickets, including a pivotal spell in the final.
According to Ishan, Pandya never complained about the fan reactions; instead, he maintained a sportsmanlike attitude throughout.
“It is difficult to explain in words the past six months he has had, as there were all kinds of things said and written about him. But he never lost his cool. I was with him during most of that time – be it training with him in Vadodara or during the IPL – and I never heard him cribbing ki yaar, aisa kyun ho raha hai mere saath (Mate, why is this happening with me). He was calm about it, took it in a very sporting manner, and just focused on the game,” he said.
Ishan admires how the 30-year-old handled the negativity, focusing on what he could control and remaining unfazed by the rest.
“I remember Hardik bhai saying once during the IPL, ‘Jo haath mai nahi hai uske baare mey kya sochna. Log bol rahe hain, kyu bol rahe, wo sab control nahi kar sakte (Those things which are not in our hands, we can’t control. If I keep on thinking about what people are saying, I will lose it). The same bunch that has criticised me will celebrate me in the future and I just have to take it in a very sporting manner,’” Ishan said.
