• Sportzyverse
• T20 World Cup 2024
• 06/05/2024
• 0 Comments

Hardik Pandya’s redemption arc starkly contrasts his recent struggles with the Mumbai Indians. Just a few weeks ago, he faced a tough time, with fans booing and his performance faltering. However, as he dons the blue jersey for the Indian cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2024, a new chapter seems to be unfolding.

It took just one match and one appearance for Hardik Pandya to significantly impact the Indian team. His stellar performance against Ireland in the opening fixture of the World Cup was a key factor in the team’s redemption.

He played a vital role with the ball in hand. Pandya clinched three wickets in his team’s maiden outing in the tournament. Lorcan Tucker was his first victim in the 11th over of the game. Later, he removed Curtis Campher, who was looking set. His final scalp came in the form of Mark Adair.

https://x.com/BCCI/status/1798374740282974391

Hardik Pandya on return to Indian team

Pandya ended the first inning with amazing figures of 3 wickets in 4 overs that saw him concede only 27 runs. He even managed to squeeze in a maiden over as well.

Throughout his performance, the fans had his back. There was a loud cheer at every good delivery that Pandya produced. Pandya said about his experience, “Always special to play for the country. World Cup is something I’ve been able to contribute.”

https://x.com/hardikpandya7/status/1798408261307109723

He also talked about his first wicket of Tucker; Pandya enumerated his thought process behind the delivery. “I really liked the first wicket. Generally, don’t hit the stump often. I have a tendency to bowl back of a length. But on this wicket, I needed to be a lot fuller to be in the game. Yes, if you bowl short, the ball may fly.”

This shows how much Pandya has improved and matured as a bowler over the years. He is able to get out of the mindset of a batter and think like a bowler when his team needs him to.

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With the help of some great bowling performances from the pacers, Bumrah, Siraj, and Pandya, India was able to curtail the Irish inning to just 98 runs. In return, they chased down the total in just 12.2 overs.

With this comprehensive win, they will be eying another victory in the upcoming game against Pakistan.