"He was under pressure..." - Wasim Jaffer salutes Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup 2024 heroics

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer heaped praise on Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his remarkable performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Jaffer highlighted Pandya's ability to handle immense pressure and deliver stellar performances with both bat and ball.

Jaffer acknowledged the pressure with Pandya coming into the T20 World Cup 2024 after his flop show for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2024. The Indian all-rounder faced a lot of jeer and criticism for replacing Rohit Sharma as MI captain, and it badly impacted his performance.

Wasim Jaffer hails Hardik Pandya's redemption story in T20 World Cup 2024

The outside noise put Pandya under immense pressure, and he failed to deliver as an all-rounder and MI captain, with the franchise ending the IPL 2024 campaign in the eighth spot with only 8 points from 14 games. Amidst his poor season, Pandya was picked for the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.

Despite facing significant expectations and scrutiny, Pandya rose to the occasion, playing a key role in India's successful campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. His all-round contributions were crucial to the Indian cricket team’s unbeaten campaign in the USA and West Indies.

Pandya demonstrated his versatility, contributing valuable runs and taking key wickets throughout the tournament. He scored 144 runs at an average of 48, as well as picking up 11 wickets in the tournament. He also bowled the all-important final over in the final to win the match for India.

He recorded impressive figures of 3/20 in three overs, dismissing David Miller and Kagiso Rabada in the final over to seal the deal for India, as they won the T20 World Cup 2024 by thrashing the South African team by seven runs in Barbados.

Hardik Pandya performed exceedingly well under pressure: Wasim Jaffer

After the T20 World Cup 2024 final, Jaffer hailed Pandya for stepping up and exceeding expectations with his stunning all-round performance, saying his remarkable turnaround was a testament to his resilience and skill.

Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube Channel: “I would like to specially mention Hardik because he was under pressure coming into the T20 World Cup. But hats off to him for the way he stepped up with both bat and ball and delivered. We all know what kind of pressure he was under but he put his hand up and performed exceedingly well.”

The former Indian batter also lauded Suryakumar Yadav for his match-defining catch in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. In the final over, South Africa needed 16 runs to win, and Miller hit a full toss from Pandya towards long-off, aiming for a six.

Wasim Jaffer lauds Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah

Suryakumar sprinted, jumped, and caught the ball just before it crossed the boundary. Then, the Indian star threw the ball back into play, regained his balance, and dove to complete the stunning catch and win the prestigious cup for India.

Jaffer added, “Suryakumar Yadav's catch was a game-changing moment according to me. If that catch wouldn't have happened and if it would have gone for a six, 10 runs from four (five) balls would have been an easy job for Miller.”

Jasprit Bumrah won the Player of the Tournament award, and the cricket pandit said that he deserved the honor for his exceptional bowling throughout the T20 World Cup 2024, where he took 15 wickets.

Jaffer signed off by saying, “Bumrah being Bumrah bowled incredibly well and rightly deserves to win the Player of the Tournament award. The way he bowled throughout the tournament and in the final, hats off to him.”