Watch: After fan’s T-shirt, Hardik Pandya nonchalantly catches ball thrown at him during victory parade in Vadodara
Published - 17 Jul 2024, 10:04 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 05:57 AM
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had a hero's welcome in his home town Vadodara after the team's T20 World Cup 2024 win. The Men in Blue defeated South Africa in the final of the tournament by 7 runs and claimed their second T20 World Cup title, having won the first in 2007.
Hardik Pandya played a massive role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph as he brought with his A game with both bat and ball. The all-rounder was going through a rough patch ahead of the tournament but made sure that he brought his best when his team needed the most.
Hardik Pandya showed great form right from the start and made sure that he continued the same intensity throughout the tournament. The all-rounder chipped in for his team at the crucial juncture of the games and brought the team back in most of the games either with his batting or his bowling.
It was a great redemption for Hardik Pandya, especially with what happened to him over the past few months. The all-rounder was handed the captaincy of Mumbai Indians and since then nothing went his way. He didn't get the support from the fans as he took the leadership from Rohit Sharma.
Hardik Pandya received a lot of boos from the fans and things didn't go his way too with his performances. The all-rounder failed to get going with bat and ball throughout the tournament and also his leadership wasn't great as Mumbai Indians ended the tournament in the bottom half of the points table.
However, when it mattered the most, Hardik Pandya came up with his best and helped India win the T20 World Cup 2024. He was the team's MVP in the tournament and also was the biggest factor in the win against South Africa in the final. He defended 16 runs in the last over and helped India end an 11-year-long title drought.
Hardik Pandya made a huge impact for India in their T20 World Cup win. The all-rounder scored 144 runs at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57 in six innings and was even more exceptional with the ball. He bagged 11 wickets in 25 overs at an economy rate of 7.64.
After reaching India, Hardik Pandya received huge cheers from the fans. From being booed to getting cheers, the all-rounder's comeback was exceptional. During the victory parade in Mumbai, he was the front face of the team as fans were chanting his name both on the streets as well as in Wankhede Stadium.
Hardik Pandya catches a ball during roadshow
After that Hardik Pandya went to his hometown in Vadodara, he attended a roadshow to celebrate India's T20 World Cup 2024 win. Hundreds of people came to support him as he made his presence felt in an open bus and acknowledged support from fans.
However, during the roadshow, Hardik Pandya also showed great reflexes as well. One of the fans during the event threw a tennis ball at him and the all-rounder in a blink eye noticed it and caught it with one hand. The video went viral on the internet. Here's the clip:
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