Hardik Pandya believes he has regained the support of his fans through his performances, chiefly the key role he played in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean last year.
The all-rounder’s contribution of 144 runs and 11 wickets in the tounament proved instrumental as India secured their second T20 World Cup trophy.
Pandya first faced fans’ ire in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last season, when spectators consistently jeered him after he succeeded Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians‘ skipper, following his transfer from Gujarat Titans before the 2024 season.Five-time champions Mumbai ended the 2024 IPL season at the last place under Pandya’s captaincy.
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However, he overcame the adverse reactions when he travelled with the Indian squad to the Americas for the T20 World Cup and delivered outstanding performances.
“They (fans) said life for me had come a full circle. They said from here on there was no looking back. I had won them (fans) back,” said Pandya in a video posted by the BCCI on social media.
As the Champions Trophy progresses and India prepare to face Pakistan in Sunday’s match in Dubai, Pandya expressed the team’s strong determination to secure another championship title.
“A new year, a new tournament and a new challenge awaits us. Our quest to become champions once again has begun. Today, we step out yet again to start fresh, to conquer another day, to conquer another opponent. Chapter 2 in the Champions Trophy awaits. Get ready and fasten your seat-belts for a contest that needs no introduction,” he said.
In India’s first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, Pandya delivered an economical spell of four overs, conceding merely 20 runs.
India beat Bangladesh by six wickets and are No.2 currently in Group A, behind New Zealand on net run-rate. The Kiwis had beaten Pakistan in the tournament opener by 60 runs.
