"After getting booed in IPL..." - Mohammad Kaif claims Hardik Pandya becomes extra special in India jersey

Hardik Pandya is one of the unsung heroes of India's T20 World Cup victory. He scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.58 and picked up 11 wickets from 8 games in the tournament. 

He played a major hand in helping the team win their second T20 World Cup and the first time in 17 years. India also won their first-ever ICC title in 11 years. Hardik himself having played almost 10 years of international cricket was part of many of those losses.

Mohammad Kaif Praises Hardik Pandya

What a comeback for Hardik after getting booed in the IPL. Match winning contribution with bat in the Super 8s and crucial wickets of Klassen and Miller in the Final. Make him wear the India blue and everything he touches turns to gold. True India champion. #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/wbZcVDYLDy

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 2, 2024

Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif the former Indian cricketer has taken a moment and praised Hardidk Pandya for his performances in the tournament. He said that from being booed in the IPL to being praised after the T20 World Cup win, Hardik has responded to his critics in style. 

"What a comeback for Hardik after getting booed in the IPL. Match winning contribution with bat in the Super 8s and crucial wickets of Klassen and Miller in the Final. Make him wear the India blue and everything he touches turns to gold. True India champion. #T20WorldCup2024" said Kaif on Hardik. 

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The Indian all-rounder did not have a good IPL season leading the Mumbai Indians. His franchise finished last with just four wins and 10 losses in the tournament. He was being booed at every stadium where Mumbai Indians played and was hated almost by every Indian fan just a couple of months ago. 

He has turned things around quickly. Set to defend 16 off the final over against South Africa, he picked up the wickets of David Miller and Kagiso Rabada ending South Africa's hopes.

The Indian all-rounder had scores of 32, 50*, 27*, 23, and 5* with the bat all coming in a winning cause. With the ball, he picked up three wickets in the final and three in the first match against Ireland. He picked up two each against Pakistan and USA and one against Bangladesh. 

The Indian all-rounder was all emotions after he bowled India to victory in the final against South Africa. There was a sense of relief in every Indian player after the match and Hardik recounted all that he had to endure in the past couple of months in his post-match comments. 

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their T20I retirements after the T20 World Cup win. Hardik with his recent performance looks to be the most likely candidate to be named as the new T20I captain. BCCI might consider names like Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav as well.

Also Read: 'They'll be replaced easily' - Michael Vaughan's blunt take on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja's T20I retirement