[Watch] Hardik Pandya's unique celebration with 2024 T20 World Cup Trophy on the Barbados pitch
Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya ringed in special celebrations after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup final on Saturday (June 29). The Men in Blue beat South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling encounter to become the two-time champions in the format. England and West Indies are the only other teams to have achieved the feat.
Pandya endured a tough couple of months after backlash from Mumbai Indians fans during the IPL 2024 after a captaincy change controversy. A section of fans did not like the franchise's decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Pandya as captain for IPL 2024. They booed and trolled the all-rounder mercilessly during Mumbai Indians' matches and on social media platforms. However, he remained quiet and did not react even once to it in public.
Hardik Pandya worked hard behind the scenes and played a significant role in India's successful World Cup campaign to draw praise from fans all over India. With the bat, Pandya scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57 in eight games and played the finishing role well. He also scalped 11 wickets in the bowling department, adding a massive value to the team as an all-rounder.
ICC took to their official Instagram handle and shared a video to give fans a glimpse of Hardik Pandya's special trophy celebration.
You can watch it in the video below:
"Things have been very unfair"- Hardik Pandya on enduring tough time in lead-up to the World Cup
Speaking after the conclusion of the World Cup final, Hardik Pandya said it was an emotional moment, and expressed satisfaction at winning the trophy. He added that things were unfair to him over the past few months and that he was relieved upon getting success. Pandya said (via India Today):
"It's very emotional. We have been working very hard but something was not clicking but today, we fulfilled the wish of our nation. Things have been very unfair but I believed if I keep working hard, I will shine. It was a dream to win and especially getting an opportunity like this makes it even more special."
On handling the pressure in crunch moments, he said:
"We always believe we can do it, it was about executing the plans and let the pressure come to them. Credit to Jassi and the other bowlers which changed everything. I mean I knew that I won't be calm it won't help me. I committed 100 percent. I have been in this situation and I have always enjoyed pressure situations."
What was your favorite performance of Hardik's in the 2024 T20 World Cup? Let us know in the comments section below.