Former South African batter AB de Villiers has hailed Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his magnificent displaying within the just lately concluded T20 World Cup 2024 and likewise additional slammed Hardik’s critics.
Hardik Pandya’s stellar efficiency within the T20 World Cup 2024
Hardik performed a vital position in Crew India’s title run, together with a game-changing bowling spell within the finale. The 30-year-old’s contributions had been instrumental, as he scored 144 runs at a formidable common of 48 and a strike charge of 151.57. Moreover, his prowess with the ball was evident as he picked up 11 wickets at a mean of 17.36 and an economic system charge of seven.64.
This stellar efficiency got here on the heels of a troublesome Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 marketing campaign, the place the Mumbai Indians (MI), below his captaincy, completed on the backside of the desk. Regardless of changing Rohit Sharma as skipper, Hardik confronted criticism and boos from MI followers all through the event.
AB de Villiers’ reward for Hardik’s resilience
Heaping reward on Hardik for his exceptional turnaround from the IPL to the T20 World Cup, De Villiers expressed his admiration on his YouTube channel. He highlighted Hardik’s skill to rise to the event and ship when it mattered essentially the most.
“He made everybody proud on the market. Although I didn’t need him to succeed like that, I look again and have loads of respect for that. He’s a giant man for a giant second and that’s precisely the way in which he performed. To all you Mumbai Indians followers on the market who doubted him, I’m fairly certain he has secured a spot in your hearts for the longer term,” De Villiers mentioned.
Hardik’s stellar displaying was additional acknowledged when he ascended to the place of the world’s No.1 T20I all-rounder within the newest ICC rankings.
Additionally READ: Followers lavish reward on Hardik Pandya as he turns into No. 1 all-rounder in ICC T20I Rankings
The defining moments of the ultimate
Within the essential closing match, with the sport slipping away from India as South Africa wanted solely 26 off 24 deliveries, Hardik showcased his champion spirit. He eliminated the well-set Heinrich Klaasen for 52 off 27, turning the tide in India’s favor. Hardik adopted this with a sensational closing over, eradicating key participant like David Miller whereas defending 16 runs, finally serving to India clinch the victory by seven runs.
De Villiers mirrored on these pivotal moments, stating, “What stands out for me are the large moments. A man like Hardik Pandya who’s been via a roller-coaster himself with Mumbai Indians – transferring from Gujarat to Mumbai – and all of the criticism he coped with, getting the ball from the captain within the closing of the T20 World Cup. That was his second to go like, ‘You recognize what… all Indian followers on the market, that is what I’m about as a cricket participant,”
Hardik completed the ultimate with excellent figures of three/20 in three overs, together with the essential seventeenth and twentieth overs, sealing the deal for India.
