Hardik Pandya being booed wasn't fair: Dinesh Karthik hails all-rounder for fairytale comeback

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has heaped praises on Hardik Pandya for his stunning comeback in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Dinesh Karthik termed Hardik Pandya as a true asset for the Indian Team.

Hardik Pandya helped India to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. The right-arm seamer bowled the final over against South Africa where he defended 16 runs, leaking just 8 runs and getting two wickets.

After his marvelous over, he was cheered by the fans inside the Kensington Oval Stadium in Barbados. Later, when Rohit Sharma praised Pandya for his stunning final over during a post-match presentation, fans hailed his name to set the sky above the stadium on fire with Hardik Pandya chants.

Even the Indian all-rounder stood up and thanked fans for their gestures. Interestingly, the same fans were chanting against the Mumbai Indians skipper a few months ago in IPL 2024.

Pandya, who removed Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper in IPL 2024, was abused by MI fans inside Wankhede Stadium. He was also targeted by fans of other teams at other stadiums on multiple instances.

Also Read: Virat Kohli's influence in singing 'Vande Mataram' at Wankhede Stadium during India's victory lap revealed

WATCH- Scripts are for stars! Dinesh Karthik lauds ‘True Asset’ Hardik Pandya for fairytale comeback

Cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthik has posted a video on Instagram, in which he hailed Hardik Pandya for a fairytale comeback to the Indian team. An Indian cricket fan asked a question to Karthik and in response, the former RCB wicketkeeper termed Pandya a 'True Asset' for the Indian Team.

“They say certain scripts are written in the stars. And for Hardik, the last four months have been hard. Really hard, I feel for him. But that last over, and this whole tournament, he's contributed with the bat", Karthik said in the video posted by Cricbuzz on Instagram.

"He showed at different points of time why he is an asset to this side. With the ball, always a good fielder. But most importantly, on that big day, when it mattered the most, he delivered that last over. Who is ever going to forget that? Rohit's kiss to Hardik Pandya post his interview. Such emotional moments", the 38-year-old further said.

Karthik, who retired from all forms of cricket after IPL 2024, also feels fans were not right in booing Pandya earlier during Indian Premier League 2024.

"It's been great to see what he's done in this tournament. I'm the happiest for him. I think he deserves it. He's worked very hard for this. And I don't think it was fair that people booed him", he further said. Have a look at the complete video below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cricbuzz (@cricbuzzofficial)

Pandya was a star performer with both bat and ball

Meanwhile, Pandya impressed everyone with crucial efforts with both bat and ball in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He picked a 3-wicket haul in his first match against Ireland.

Later, he also grabbed 2 wickets each against Pakistan and USA. He scored crucial 32 runs against Afghanistan before coming up with another 50* against Bangladesh in Super 8.

The finisher slammed a quickfire 27* against Australia and a crucial 23 against England in the semi-final, but went wicketless in both games. In the final, he grabbed 3 wickets for 20 runs including a stunning final over.