[Watch] Hardik Pandya in tears after helping Team India win the 2024 T20 World Cup title
Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya showcased tremendous composure under pressure in the final over of the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The all-rounder successfully defended 16 runs off the last six balls to help the team lift their second T20 World Cup title.
With David Miller still at the crease, South Africa would have fancied their chances. However, it was Pandya who won the battle of nerves. Miller perished on the very first ball of the 20th over, courtesy of a stunning juggling catch from Suryakumar Yadav just inches away from the boundary.
The Men in Blue ultimately clinched a thrilling seven-run win while defending a 177-run target. A visibly emotional Hardik Pandya was seen shedding tears of joy following India's triumph.
You can watch the videos of Pandya in tears below:
It is worth mentioning that Heinrich Klaasen propelled South Africa into pole position with a whirlwind 52-run knock in the run chase. Hardik Pandya provided India with a massive breakthrough, getting Klaasen out in the 17th over to shift the momentum in the Men in Blue's favor.
"More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven’t spoken a word"- Hardik Pandya after India's 2024 T20 World Cup victory
Speaking in a post-match interview, Hardik Pandya expressed his delight at India's successful campaign. He mentioned that the victory meant a lot to him, given the things he has been through in the last few months.
The talismanic all-rounder said:
"It means a lot. Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven’t spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do. Getting an opportunity like this makes it more special."
Virat Kohli was named as the Player of the Match of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The ace batter played a clutch knock, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls. Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged the Player of the Tournament. The speedster bagged 15 wickets from eight outings at an economy rate of 4.17 in the edition.