Hardik Pandya has come a long way from being jeered by fans to becoming a crucial player in India’s T20 World Cup triumph. Pandya, who faced harsh criticism and booing from the crowd after being appointed Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, has now silenced his detractors with his stellar performance.
When Sanjay Manjrekar urged the Wankhede crowd to show respect to Pandya, he wanted to highlight that their behavior was unfair towards a player of Pandya’s caliber. Despite the initial backlash, Pandya has proved his worth on the big stage.
Manjrekar, who intervened during a toss at a MI home match, faced ridicule on social media. However, Pandya’s key role in India’s second T20 World Cup win has vindicated Manjrekar’s faith in him. Pandya scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets in the tournament, including a pivotal performance in the final.
Manjrekar praised Pandya’s ability to handle pressure, citing his crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, and his game-closing over against South Africa in the final. “What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo. “In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him, and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player.”
Pandya’s journey from being booed to becoming a World Cup hero is a testament to his resilience and skill. Manjrekar reminded fans that even during India’s defeat against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pandya was a calm and steady presence under pressure.
Pandya’s redemption story is a reminder of the importance of belief and perseverance. His performance in the T20 World Cup has not only brought glory to India but also underscored his status as a big-stage player.
