How Hardik Pandya turned boos into cheers in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 run
Hardik Pandya first heard them in Ahmedabad on March 24 in the opening week of the Indian Premier League 2024. The boos that rumbled around the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium were understandable, of course. Pandya, the former title-winning Gujarat Titans captain, had returned but as the leader of his first IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.
It was surprising, though, that the heckling continued – four days later – in Hyderabad. The stadium in the southern Indian city was a neutral venue, with no offended Gujarat fans in sight. But perhaps it was merely an anomaly, a lingering hangover.
The Wankhede Stadium would surely have been safer territory as the home of the Mumbai Indians and their loyal supporters, who would surely unite behind their team and its young captain against the visiting Rajasthan Royals. Yet, when Pandya joined Sanju Samson in the middle for the coin toss, there was no mistaking it – the fans were booing their own captain.
It wasn’t too long until Pandya was out in the middle again, this time to rescue his team’s batting collapse at 20-4 in less than four overs. He made more runs than any of his teammates but Rajasthan routed Mumbai by six wickets. It was the five-time champions’ third straight loss and not their last one of the season, where they fared terribly and finished last. The hounding of Pandya, too, was just beginning.
The turnaround from IPL blues to India’s blue
Nearly two months later, the atmosphere at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York was tense. It always is when India play Pakistan. And this was a crucial Group A match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
India had scrapped their way to 119 and Pakistan were on track for victory, 73-2 in the 13th over and Fakhar Zaman starting his innings in ominous fashion.
Pandya bowled an awkward bouncer, the sort that follows and cramps the batter. Fakhar attempted a pull shot but instead gloved the ball and India’s wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, running back, completed the catch. When Pandya struck another crucial blow to dismiss Shadab Khan in the 17th over, the overjoyed Indian captain Rohit Sharma threw his arms around the all-rounder and lifted him into the air. India won the match 16 balls later.
As all-round performances go, Hardik Pandya’s contributions at the T20 World Cup have been instrumental in helping India march undefeated to their semifinal showdown with England in Guyana on Thursday.
He has scored the third most runs for India – 116 from six innings – behind Rohit (191) and Pant (167). They have come at a strike rate of 145, lower than Sharma’s 159.16 but higher than Pant’s 132.53. Of the 30 players who have netted the most runs, only two – Scotland’s Brandon McMullen (70) and England’s Harry Brook (120) – have higher averages than Pandya’s 58, courtesy of his two undefeated innings against Bangladesh and Australia.
For a third or fourth-choice seam bowler who bats at number six, the 30-year-old’s figures are impressive but his individual performances have also stood out.
A valuable 2-14 with the ball helped keep USA in check in New York. As lower-order finisher with the bat, Pandya’s blistering 27-ball-50 pushed India’s total to 196 against Bangladesh in the Super Eights and his 17-ball-27 against Australia was crucial in their 24-run win.
