• Sportzyverse
• T20 World Cup 2024
• 06/11/2024
• 0 Comments

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has commended Hardik Pandya for winning over previously hostile fans with his stellar performance in India’s T20 World Cup victory against Pakistan in New York. Pandya faced significant criticism during the IPL 2024 season after Rohit Sharma assumed the captaincy of Mumbai Indians. Still, he managed to turn the tide with his recent contributions on the international stage.

Challenging Start with the Bat

In Sunday’s T20 World Cup match, Pandya struggled with the bat, scoring only seven runs off 12 balls as India set Pakistan a target of 120 runs. However, he made a significant impact with the ball, delivering an impressive spell of 2 for 24 in four overs, which was crucial in India’s narrow six-run victory.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on Pandya’s performance, highlighting how the crowd’s sentiment shifted during the match. “Hardik Pandya – people booed him so much, and how life changes. I saw the entire ground shouting ‘Hardik, Hardik’ and a lot of love for him. Cricket is a great leveller. If you perform well, people who were abusing you will also praise you. They will pray for your success,” Chopra remarked.

Support from the Fan Base

Chopra further emphasized the unique support Indian cricketers receive from their massive fan base. “I learned one thing that we Indians are extremely lucky. We have 140 crore people and whoever follows cricket, prays for you, even though they don’t know you. This is the biggest blessing. So Hardik Pandya has also turned that around. He has been outstanding,” Chopra added.

Pandya’s bowling was instrumental in India’s defence of their total. He first dismissed the aggressive Fakhar Zaman with a bouncer, brilliantly caught by Rishabh Pant, and later took the wicket of Shadab Khan similarly.

Also read T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan’s Super 8 Qualification Hangs by a Thread

Hardik Pandya’s transformation from a player under fire to a fan favourite is a testament to his resilience and skill. His performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup contributed to India’s victory and showcased his ability to turn critics into supporters. As Aakash Chopra highlighted, cricket is a great leveller, and Pandya’s journey is a perfect example of how perseverance and excellence on the field can change public perception.