T20 World Cup 2024: "Hardik Pandya will be completely different.."- Sunil Gavaskar's bold promise

Sunil Gavaskar stressed that there is a huge difference between playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and representing the country, as the legendary Indian cricketer backed Hardik Pandya to shine in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The former Indian skipper said that when a player represents his country in international cricket, it brings out a different level of performance and mindset, as it taps into a deeper level of commitment and motivation, and Hardik will not be different.

Gavaskar expressed confidence in the Indian all-rounder’s ability to thrive in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies despite facing challenges in the ongoing IPL 2024, where he is leading the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Hardik Pandya will be a different player at T20 World Cup 2024: Sunil Gavaskar

However, Hardik is struggling both as the MI skipper and all-rounder in the ongoing IPL 2024, but Gavaskar is confident that there will be a significant shift in the star player's mindset when he dons the Indian jersey in the upcoming showpiece event.

Furthermore, the legendary Indian batter claimed that Hardik, who has been named Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, will contribute with both bat and ball during the multi-nation tournament, as he welcomed his selection in India’s squad for the mega ICC event.

Gavaskar feels the environment and stakes of representing India would elevate Pandya’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. He also lauded Hardik for the way he has handled the jeers and pressure in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Sunil Gavaskar said on Sports Today, “There's a big difference playing in the IPL and playing for your country. Playing for your country brings out something different in every player and Hardik Pandya will be a different player. He's had to face a lot of issues in this IPL, he's handled it quite well.

When he goes overseas and has to play for India, I think he will be in a completely different frame of mind. And that's going to be a much more positive frame of mind than maybe what we have seen here in this tournament. So, Hardik Pandya will make a contribution with both bat and ball in this tournament.”

Hardik Pandya and MI's Struggle in IPL 2024

Notably, Hardik Pandya had to face a tough reception from the Mumbai Indians (MI) fans for replacing Rohit Sharma as MI skipper. It was a tough homecoming for Pandya. He was brutally trolled and booed by the MI fans, both on the field and on social media platforms. It hurts the Indian all-rounder, as he has so far managed only 197 runs and four wickets for Mumbai across 10 games in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Despite his poor show, he got the T20 World Cup 2024 ticket. MI will next face the second-ranked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match No. 1 of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium on May 3. MI is currently standing in 9th place in the points table with 3 wins from 10 games so far in the lucrative T20 league.