Krunal Pandya, hailing his brother Hardik Pandya’s stunning comeback, said people forgot that he is just a “human being with emotions”. India all-rounder Krunal Pandya was left inconsolable as he broke down in tears in his emotional social media post on his brother Hardik Pandya who overcame a storm of criticism over the last few months to help India claim the T20 World Cup trophy. Krunal, hailing Hardik’s stunning comeback, said people forgot that he is just a “human being with emotions”.
Krunal Pandya penned down an emotional note for his brother Hardik Pandya and said that the last six months have been the toughest for the India vice captain. Hardik displayed a poor performance in the last six months. The India all-rounder was out of the ODI World Cup 2023 after he suffered an injury. Even in the Indian Premier League 2024, the 30-year-old failed to take the Mumbai Indians to the knockout stage of the tournament. However, Hardik proved his worth in the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Hardik Pandya’s downfall and dramatic rise to glory in T20 World Cup 2024
The criticisms had begun after Mumbai Indians shockingly replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik as the captain last December for the IPL 2024 season. While the move was lashed out at by veteran cricketers and experts, Hardik was attacked on social media. The online attack soon turned into boos during each of Mumbai’s matches and remained a constant as the side finished bottom of the table for the second time in three seasons.
However, Hardik bounced back from the IPL drama in stunning fashion to play a pivotal role in India’s run to a second T20 World Cup win. One of his best performances came in the final, against South Africa, where he dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen before picking two wickets in the final over to successfully defend 16 runs as India won by seven runs.
Despite his struggles, Hardik proved decisive during the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, especially in crucial moments for Team India, including the final. Overall, he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57 in six innings and picked up 11 wickets throughout the tournament.
Krunal Pandya , who was left teary-eyed watching Hardik during one of his post-match interactions in Barbados, penned a long, emotional post on his Instagram handle.
Krunal Pandya pays tribute to brother Hardik with heartfelt post post WT20 2024 victory.
Left-arm spinning all-rounder Krunal Pandya paid tribute to his brother Hardik Pandya with a heartfelt Instagram post after the latter’s incredible 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. Hardik was heavily criticized during the 2024 IPL for his poor all-round form and the Mumbai Indians (MI) finishing at the bottom of the table under his captaincy.
The 30-year-old replaced long-time skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of IPL 2024 and the move was met with scathing reactions, including boos, from MI fans around the country.
Yet, Hardik turned things around and contributed massively to India’s title run in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Krunal Pandya wrote on his Instagram handle with several photos of Hardik and the two of them together:
“The last six months have been the toughest for Hardik. He simply didn’t deserve what he went through, and as a brother, I felt very, very bad for him. From booing, to people saying all kinds of nasty things, at the end of the day, we all forgot that he is just a human being who also has emotions. He somehow passed through all of this with a smile, though I know how hard it was for him to put on a smile.”
He continued:
“He kept working hard and focusing on what he needed to do to get the World Cup since that was his ultimate objective. He has now played his heart out to realize India’s long standing dream – And nothing has ever meant to him more. From the age of 6 – It’s playing for the country and winning the World Cup that’s been the dream.”
Hardik finished the tournament with a batting average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57 in addition to 11 wickets at an average of 17.36 in eight outings. The champion all-rounder also saved his best for the final, producing figures of 3/20 in three overs to help India seal a thrilling win over South Africa.
Krunal Pandya continues being emotional for his brother Hardik Pandya
Krunal Pandya continued his emotional Instagram post and hailed Hardik’s accomplishments in a still-young career.
The duo played together for the Mumbai Indians (MI) until 2021 before moving to Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, respectively.
“I just want to remind people that what Hardik has done in such a short span in his career is unbelievable. His efforts for the national team have never been compromised. Every time, at every stage of Hardik’s life, people have written him off, and that has only motivated him to come back even stronger,” wrote Krunal.
Hardik bowled the final over of the summit clash with the Proteas needing 16 runs to win. He conceded only eight runs and picked up the wickets of David Miller and Kagiso Rabada to clinch India the title.