Life comes a full circle for Pandya as Wankhede chants 'Hardik, Hardik'

Hardik Pandya’s redemption was one of the biggest stories in India's T20 World Cup win. From getting booed in stadiums and trolled on social media to becoming a hero for India at the biggest event, it was a story for ages. Pandya was booed at his home venue, Wankhede Stadium, in IPL 2024 after he was named as the Mumbai Indians’ captain, replacing Rohit Sharma.

After a couple of months, he became a national hero thanks to his match-winning performance against South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. While India was in the midst of a victory parade in Mumbai, the Wankhede crowd was heard chanting Hardik’s name. For the unversed, the Indian team went on a bus parade with the World Cup trophy, travelling from Mumbai’s Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium on July 4. 

Here's the video of the crowd chanting Pandya’s name:

I have been very graceful of not speaking a word: Pandya

After a lackluster performance for the MI in IPL 2024, Hardik was less than impressive as captain with MI occupying the last place in the points table. The World Cup was a make-it-or-break-it affair for Pandya and he delivered some match-winning performances. He won the Man of the Match award against Bangladesh picked three crucial wickets and defended 16 runs in the final to see India home.

Also Read: I’m sure Hardik Pandya secured a spot in hearts of every Mumbai Indians fan: AB de Villiers

“It means a lot. Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard but something was not clicking but today was the day we fulfilled what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I have been very graceful of not speaking a word, things have been very unfair but I believed that if I keep working hard there will be a time where I would shine and do what I could do. That sums everything up. It was a dream to win. Getting an opportunity like this makes it even more special,” said Pandya after the game.