Hardik Pandya reacted to the trolls he faced for the last six months after India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup 2024 after a thrilling final which was played at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, on Saturday.
Pandya had a difficult IPL 2024 campaign and there were doubts about his inclusion in India’s squad for T20 World Cup but the all-rounder was eventually selected.
Pandya removed Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller during South Africa’s chase and he, along with Jasprit Bumrah, was the reason why Rohit Sharma’s side was able to end their ICC trophy drought after a long wait of 11 years.
Talking after the match, Pandya hit back at the trolls and said that he worked very hard and listened to all that was said about him in the last six months without speaking a word.
“It means a lot. Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, how my last 6 months were, I haven’t spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do. Getting an opportunity like this makes it more special,” Pandya said after the match.
He then added that India always believed in them before giving credit to Jasprit Bumrah and other Indian bowlers for the match in their favour in the last five overs.
“We always believed, it was just about executing our plans and staying calm and letting the pressure come to them. Credit to Jassi [Bumrah] and the other bowlers for those last 5 overs. Knew it would not help me if I wasn’t calm, wanted to commit 100% to every ball I’ve bowled. I’ve always enjoyed pressure. Very happy for him (Dravid), he’s been a wonderful man, really enjoyed working with him, to give him a farewell like this is wonderful, have had a very good relationship with him and became friends. Very happy for all the support staff,” he added.