NEW DELHI: Versatile Indian cricketer
Hardik Pandya
expressed his gratitude to his supporters in Vadodara on Tuesday for their enthusiastic reception after the Indian team's victory in the ICC
T20 World Cup
. This win marked the end of India's 11-year drought for an ICC title.
Following the successful T20 World Cup campaign, Hardik was greeted with open arms upon his return to his hometown, Vadodara, on Monday.
The 30-year-old cricketer also participated in a roadshow to celebrate the Indian team's remarkable achievement in the tournament, reported ANI.
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.
Hardik's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup played a crucial role in India's victory. He scored 144 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, including a half-century. Additionally, he took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with his best figures being 3/20.
Following the tournament, Hardik received a warm welcome from fans during a roadshow in Vadodara, where his brother Krunal Pandya was also present.
Despite facing injuries and controversies in the recent past, Hardik stepped up when it mattered most. His crucial wicket of
Heinrich Klaasen
during the final and his decisive final over, in which he dismissed
David Miller
, turned the game in India's favor.
This tournament served as a redemption story for Hardik, who had faced criticism and online trolling during the IPL 2024 after taking over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians from
Rohit Sharma
. He was accused of betraying the MI franchise, Rohit, and his former team, Gujarat Titans, which he had led to the IPL title in 2022.
India's 11-year-long ICC trophy drought finally ended as
Virat Kohli
(76), Hardik (3/20), and
Jasprit Bumrah
(2/18) played pivotal roles in the team's seven-run win over South Africa in the final at Barbados on June 29.
Virat's masterclass knock helped India reach 176/7, while Bumrah and Pandya's pace bowling restricted the Proteas to 169/8, snatching victory from a challenging position.
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