Sports
From Booed to Beloved: Hardik Pandya on How Fans Flipped the Script After T20 WC Glory
Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder of the Indian cricket team, has opened up about his emotional journey from facing intense criticism during the IPL to being celebrated as a national hero after India’s T20 World Cup victory. In a raw sit-down with JioHotstar this week, the all-rounder spilled on his rollercoaster ride from hate to hero worship. Here’s how he turned the boos into cheers—and what’s next.
IPL 2024: The Low Point
Last year’s IPL was brutal for Pandya, captaining Mumbai Indians after a trade from Gujarat Titans.
- Rough Patch: He managed 216 runs at a limp 18 average and 11 wickets at a pricey 10.75 economy—MI crashed to last place with four wins in 14 games.
- Fan Fury: Replacing Rohit Sharma, a five-time champ, sparked a backlash—Wankhede turned hostile, boos raining down every match. X lit up with “Hardik Out” venom.
- Mind Games: “It was tough—mentally draining,” Pandya admitted. “I didn’t speak a word, just kept pushing.”
T20 World Cup: The Comeback
June 2024 flipped the script—Pandya emerged as India’s T20 World Cup linchpin in Barbados.
- Clutch King: He smashed 144 runs at a 151.57 strike rate and snagged 11 wickets, sealing the final with a nervy last over—16 defended, South Africa choked seven runs shy.
- Love Bomb: Fans flipped—Wankhede’s victory parade drowned out past jeers with “Hardik, Hardik” chants. “The love I got after was unreal—a 360-degree turnaround,” he told JioHotstar.
- Redemption Arc: From IPL villain to national treasure, Pandya silenced doubters with ice in his veins.
Pandya Opens Up
In his March 16 chat, days before IPL 2025 kicks off, Pandya got real:
- Thank You Note: “India, you mean the world to me—that support pulled me through,” he said, crediting fans for his bounce-back.
- Steel Spine: “I never left the battlefield. Cricket’s my ally—kept grinding, and destiny delivered.”
- Fan Promise: “I’ll keep giving everything for this team, this country—highs, lows, all of it.”
Takeaways from the Turnaround
Pandya’s saga packs lessons:
- Crowd Power: Fan love can lift you when the chips are down—his 2024 redemption proves it.
- Grit Wins: “Surviving, not just winning” kept him afloat—he’s preaching patience to young guns now.
- Head Space Matters: Pandya’s IPL scars underline mental health’s role in sports—silence was his shield.
What’s Cooking Next?
With the T20 crown and a Champions Trophy 2025 medal (18 off 18 in the final, per ICC), Pandya’s eyeing more:
- IPL 2025 Shot: He’s back captaining MI against CSK on March 22—fans are buzzing on X for a title run after last year’s flop.
- Big Dreams: “I need five-six more trophies,” he grinned—Tests might wait, but white-ball’s his turf.
- Role Model: Pandya wants his grind to spark others—“Keep pushing, no matter what”.
The Bottom Line
Hardik Pandya’s gone from IPL punching bag to India’s golden boy, fueled by fan love and sheer guts. His T20 World Cup heroics—think that final over—turned the tide, and now, with IPL 2025 looming, he’s ready to lead MI out of the basement. It’s a tale of grit, glory, and a nation’s fickle heart—proof you can’t keep a fighter down.
