Hardik Pandya thanks fans for warm welcome after T20 WC win

New Delhi, July 16: Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya on Tuesday welcomed his fans in Baroda for their warm welcome following the Men in Blue’s ICC T20 World Cup win, which ended their 11-year-wait for an ICC trophy.

After his T20 World Cup triumph, Pandya received a warm welcome in his home city, Vadodara, on Monday. The 30-year-old also attended a roadshow to celebrate Team India’s win in the T20 World Cup.

Taking to X, Hardik thanked fans for a “surreal” welcome back home, which made him experience “so many emotions”.

“Surreal Thank you for all the love Baroda, thank you for the support and thank you for making this such a special day. So many emotions, but always grateful,” he said.

In the T20 World Cup, Pandya scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, with a half-century and best score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with the best figures of 3/20.

During the roadshow, many fans gathered on the road to give Hardik a cordial welcome in Vadodara. Hardik’s brother, Krunal Pandya, was also present at the roadshow.

Facing injuries and controversies not so long ago, Hardik once again delivered when all the lights shined bright on him, playing a major role in his side’s ICC T20 World Cup triumph. It was Hardik who secured the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen in the 177-run chase during the final and delivered the crucial final over in which he got the wicket of David Miller, which completely turned the game in favour of India.

This tournament marked a redemption tale for Hardik, who was booed out of nearly every stadium across India during the IPL 2024 after taking over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians (MI) from five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma. The all-rounder, who was just making a comeback into the game after suffering an injury to his ankle in the 50-over World Cup last year, became a victim of online trolling and fan wars as he was accused of betraying the MI franchise, Rohit, and his former franchise, Gujarat Titans (GT), which he led to the IPL title in 2022.

India ended their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought as Virat Kohli (76), Hardik Pandya (3/20) and Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) starred in Men in Blue’s seven-run win over South Africa in the final at Barbados on June 29. Virat’s masterclass knock helped India reach 176/7 in 20 overs, while Bumrah and Pandya unleashed a pace choke on Proteas, snatching the match from a losing position to restrict Proteas to 169/8 in their 20 overs.