File photo of Hardik Pandya.© AFP
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, the newly-crowned T20 world champion with Team India, took to Instagram to share the message of making a comeback “greater than a setback”. Facing injuries and controversies not so long ago, Hardik once again delivered when all the lights shined bright on him, playing a major role in his side’s ICC T20 World Cup triumph. It was Hardik who secured the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen in the 177-run chase during the final and delivered the crucial final over in which he got the wicket of David Miller, which completely turned the game in favour of India.
Taking to Instagram, Pandya shared a video detailing some of his most important moments recently, like the injury in the 50-over World Cup last year, his poor form during the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year and him lifting the T20 World Cup title and winners’ medal.
“Make your comeback greater than your setback. Always,” said Pandya in a post on Instagram.
“Bro saw all it in a year,” wrote a fan. “Biggest sports star,” another user. “You are original champion,” was also among comments.
In the T20 WC, Pandya scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a half-century and best score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with the best figures of 3/20.
This tournament marked a redemption tale for Hardik, who was booed out of near every stadium across India during the IPL 2024 after taking over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians (MI) from five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma. The all-rounder, who was just making a comeback into the game after suffering an injury to his ankle in the 50-over World Cup last year, became a victim of online trolling and fan wars as he was accused of betraying the MI franchise, Rohit and his former franchise Gujarat Titans (GT), which he led to IPL title in 2022.
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