The last few days have been like a dream sequence for all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Winning the World Cup for India and receiving a hero’s welcome on returning home was something that he witnessed for the first time in his international career. But the phase before the showpiece event in the West, especially the past six months, was equally dramatic for him.
A freak ankle injury in the last year’s ODI World Cup, against Bangladesh, ruled him out of the entire tournament. After a thorough rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), he returned to action in the IPL 2024 but his new role as Mumbai Indians’ captain wasn’t liked by the fans. He was booed at stadiums and faced flack on social media but kept smiling all the way.
Pandya turned the wind with his exemplary performance in the recently-concluded World Cup, helping India to lift the trophy after 17 years. Impressed with his contribution to India’s glory, the fans in Mumbai were overwhelmed, chanting his name at Wankhede during the team’s felicitation ceremony on Thursday night.
After the celebrations were over, Pandya got a surprise visit from wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan who bumped into his hotel room, hugged the all-rounder and congratulated him for making the country proud.
Kishan shared the video of the meet-up on his Instagram profile with a heartfelt caption, which read,
“You faced so many things these past few months yet you stayed calm and focused. And today bhaiya you got the result of your hard-work, honesty and sincerity. There’s so much more I feel and want to say but words will fall short. You are a champion and you are rare,” Kishan wrote.
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In the final, Hardik took the game-changing wicket of Heinrich Klaasen and dismissed David Miller in the last over, defending 16 runs to secure a seven-run victory over South Africa in Bridgetown. He amassed 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57 in six innings and picked up 11 wickets throughout the tournament.
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