NEW DELHI: After celebrating the ICC T20 World Cup triumph with Team India, ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya shared a message on Instagram about overcoming challenges and making a strong comeback. Pandya's journey to the pinnacle has included injuries and controversies, but he played a key role in India's ICC T20 World Cup victory by taking crucial wickets in the final match.
Pandya's Instagram post included a video showcasing significant moments from the past year. It highlighted his injury during the 50-over World Cup, his struggle during the Indian Premier League, and eventually lifting the T20 World Cup.
"Make your comeback greater than your setback. Always," Pandya wrote while sharing the inspiring video.
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In the T20 World Cup, Pandya's performance was noteworthy. He scored 144 runs in six innings with an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, including a half-century. On the bowling side, he took 11 wickets in eight games, averaging 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with best figures of 3/20.
The tournament served as a redemption for Pandya, who had faced significant criticism during the IPL 2024 after taking over as captain of Mumbai Indians from five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma. Coming back from an ankle injury during the 50-over World Cup, Pandya received online trolling and fan backlash.
India ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought with a seven-run win over South Africa in the final at Barbados on June 29.
Pandya's journey exemplifies resilience and perseverance. His on-field performances continue to inspire fans and teammates, celebrating his remarkable comeback.
1/10:T20 World Cup: Team India victory parade
ANI
2/10:PM Modi and Rohit Sharma
<p><br /><br />India's T20 World Cup winners returned home to a heroes' welcome, greeted by huge crowds of euphoric fans and praised by a grinning Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a private reception.<br /><br /><br /></p>PTI
3/10:Rohit Sharma
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Frenzied crowds shouted "India, India" after the team landed at Delhi airport from the Caribbean, having been delayed for days by Hurricane Beryl.</p>AP
4/10:Rohit Sharma
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The team waved to the crowds and danced to drums and live music at their hotel before heading off to meet Modi at his residence.</p>PTI
5/10:India champions
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Rohit and his team wore Indian jerseys emblazoned with "Champions", as broadcasters showed images of them posing with their trophy and the premier.</p>Agencies
6/10:Bus of champions
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Evening saw the team paraded in an open-topped bus through the financial capital Mumbai, the birthplace of India's cricket obsession, along a seafront route thronging with jubliant crowds.</p>Reuters
7/10:Wankhede Stadium
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">They took a victory lap in front of thousands more fans at Wankhede Stadium, the site of India's last World Cup win for the 50-over edition of the tournament in 2011. </p>AFP
8/10:Sea of fans
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Despite monsoon rain, crowds gathered outside New Delhi's airport long before dawn, waiting for a glimpse of their idols, who had beaten South Africa on Saturday in a thrilling final in Barbados.</p>AP
9/10:Rahul Dravid
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(49, 49, 49); font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: 0.121826px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">The final match marked a poignant milestone for Coach Rahul Dravid, 51, as it was his last game in charge. Dravid, who had experienced the disappointment of a lackluster 2007 World Cup campaign as a captain, redeemed himself as a coach, masterminding India's unbeaten run to the title. <br /></p>Reuters
