'We forgot that he's just a human' - Krunal Pandya targets Hardik Pandya's critics after all-rounder's T20 World Cup heroics

Harrik Pandya proved his critics wrong with his all-round performance in the ICC T20 World Cup for India. He scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets in the tournament.

In the final, he took 3/20 including the crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Kagiso Rabada to turn the match around in India's favor. He dismissed Miller and Rabada in the final over the match with South Africa needing 16 to win.

Hardik Pandya turned from a villain in the IPL to a hero in this T20 World Cup as he changed India's fortunes with the bat and ball. From being hated by everyone, he became everyone's loveable child with his outstanding performances in the World Cup.

After India's World Cup win, Hardik himself spoke about the tough last few months he had to endure. He did not get the results as the Mumbai Indians captain and hence had to cope with severe criticism from Mumbai Indians fans and even from former cricket experts. He managed to turn everything around in this World Cup campaign and in a way silence his critics.

Also Read: Watch: "Public ne booing kiya..." - Hardik Pandya complains to PM Narendra Modi about Rohit Sharma fans

Krunal Pandya's Long Emotional Post For Younger Brother Hardik

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Krunal Pandya who saw everything unfold from a distance and saw his brother give it all for his country, penned an emotional message on his official Instagram account as he lived the journey of India's World Cup win through his brother. Below is what he wrote as a tribute to his younger brother.

"It’s almost been a decade since Hardik and I started playing professional cricket. And the last few days have been like a fairy tale that we’ve dreamt off. Like every countryman I’ve lived this through our teams heroics and I couldn’t be more emotional with my brother being at the heart of it.

The last six months have been the toughest for Hardik. He simply didn’t deserve what he went through, and as a brother, I felt very, very bad for him. From booing, to people saying all kinds of nasty things, at the end of the day, we all forgot that he is just a human being who also has emotions. He somehow passed through all of this with a smile, though I know how hard it was for him to put on a smile. He kept working hard and focusing on what he needed to do to get the World Cup since that was his ultimate objective.

He has now played his heart out to realise India’s long-standing dream - And nothing has ever meant to him more. From the age of 6 - It’s playing for the country and winning the World Cup that’s been the dream.

I just want to remind people that what Hardik has done in such a short span in his career is unbelievable. His efforts for the national team have never been compromised. Every time, at every stage of Hardik’s life, people have written him off, and that has only motivated him to come back even stronger.

For Hardik, it has always been country first, and it will always be that way. For a young boy coming from Baroda, there can be no bigger achievement than helping his team win the World Cup. Hardik, I am so, so proud of you. I love you so much, and you deserve every bit of happiness and all the good things that are coming your way. I have immense respect for you, my bachhu," wrote Krunal as he let his emotions out.

For Team India, it was their first ICC title in 13 years. India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and now the T20 World Cup in 2024. This is Indis's second T20 World Cup title and the first since their inaugural T20 World Cup win in 2007.

Also Read: 2007 or 2024? Rohit Sharma picks the better T20 World Cup campaign for India