It was a turbulent IPL 2024 season for Hardik Pandya after he replaced Rohit Sharma as the Mumbai Indians captain. The decision was not accepted by a part of the fanbase and following a number of disappointing results, the all-rounder Hardik Pandya was booed by a section of the crowd at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
However, Hardik Pandya bounced back from the poor IPL show to play a big role in guiding the Indian cricket team to the T20 World Cup 2024 as well as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Former Indian cricket team star Mohammed Kaif feels that Hardik Pandya was ‘mentally tortured’ during the 2024 season and said that he deserves a ‘biopic’ on how fought against the odds to mount a comeback.
Hardik Pandya’s downfall and resurgence in span of 6 months from IPL to WT20
The criticisms had begun after Mumbai Indians shockingly replaced Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as the captain last December for the IPL 2024 season. While the move was lashed out at by veteran cricketers and experts, Hardik Pandya 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 Pandya 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 Pandya 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. It was followed by the success of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Hardik Pandya deserves a biopic given his grand comeback after suffering mental torture post taking over as Mumbai Indians captain in IPL 2024. Kaif said Pandya was tortured, written off but he didn’t give up and fought against all odds.
Hardik Pandya Receives Massive ‘Redemption’ Praise from Mohammed Kaif ahead of IPL 2025
What a turnaround it has been for Hardik Pandya from last year when he replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain for IPL 2024. Hardik was terribly booed by own fans after Mumbai Indians’ bold move and the team’s shambolic show where they finished last further added to the misery. But things changed for good after Hardik Pandya played crucial roles in India’s wins in the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy.
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif feels that Hardik Pandya deserves a biopic on his comeback story. Kaif said Pandya was tortured, written off but he didn’t give up and fought against all odds to make a grand comeback.
“He kept that pain to himself and went forward, and that has been Hardik Pandya’s comeback story. It was a bad journey. Fans booed him, and people wrote him off. As a player mein apko bata sakta hu, beizatti…apman ke saath aage barna, use sehna, sabse gehra zakham hota hai (As a player, moving forward with insults hurts deeply). A player never forgets that. You can drop him, but being insulted wasn’t a good sign. It turns out to be mental torture for the player,”
“Mental torture—that is what happened to Hardik. Despite all, he played in the T20 World Cup, where he dismissed Heinrich Klaasen in the final. Then, in the Champions Trophy, he scored sixes against Zampa. He performed with the bat and ball, fighting fiercely like a lion. If there is ever a biopic on him, then the last seven months should be an example for players of how to fight against all odds, stay calm, trust your strengths and make a comeback,” he said.
Kaif further predicted Hardik Pandya to have a great season for Mumbai Indians and backed the team to qualify for the playoffs.