Hardik Pandya goes from hated to sporting hero in a seven-month window

Seven months ago, Hardik Pandya hobbled off mid-over in a World Cup game against Bangladesh. He was not to be seen after that. In the interim, a lot went on with his career though. The BCCI got strict on contracted players playing domestic Cricket, removing Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer for missing Ranji games despite being fit. Hardik Pandya, who was termed injured missed Ranji games only to claim that he had been fit since January.

On the IPL side, he replaced a Mumbai favorite, Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians. Doing so, he also left the Gujarat Titans after leading them admirably for two years. The move made Gujarat struggle, losing one of the best all-rounders going around in white-ball cricket today. The backlash received was far from normal with Hardik Pandya booed in almost every stadium he went to during the IPL.

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Post 2022, he also had the pressure of the T20I side with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli briefly being phased out. A lot of moments culminated with him getting on the wrong side of the fans. What did Hardik Pandya bring though. The same unique talent as he always does. Explosive but mature hitting with the bat along with pace and extra options with the ball.

With all the hate and criticsm, the discussion arised. Who can replace Hardik Pandya? The answer clearly is yet to be found. While India do have pace bowling all-rounders, they continue to look for one with close to equal skill in both aspects.

After a turbulant few months, Hardik Pandya had his chance to show why he remains a key part of Indian Cricket. He is a fighter, and India has had him at the far end a lot of times, with Hardik Pandya winning close games with both bat and ball. The Final was no different. The game had seemingly drifted away with a run-a-ball needed in the last five overs. Heinrich Klaasen was motering on nicely.

Jasprit Bumrah though came up with all his tricks to pull the game back ever so slightly. He bowled a five run over with South Africa cautious. The over and a small break with Pant needing some work on his knee, India had a brief break in play. Their bowling options were limited for the Final overs with Arshdeep and Bumrah having an over each while Pandya and Jadeja had to share their set.

Pandya was the one and he capitalized on the Bumrah opening. The first ball of the 17th over had him stick to his strong back of the length delivery, pace-off, and Klaasen nicked off. David Miller was still there but Hardik Pandya finished the over really well. Tight lines, his cutters and Bumrah was given a chance to tighten the screws further.

Bumrah and Arshdeep pulled things back well leaving Hardik Pandya with 16 to get in the Final over. 17 years ago, India’s least favoured pacer was the one with the job against Misbah Ul Haq. Now, Hardik Pandya had the ball in hand. There was almost a repeat of 2007 with Hardik Pandya bowling a full-toss like Joginder Sharma who did the same to concede a six in the start of the over.

To Pandya’s fortune though Suryakumar Yadav took arguable the greatest catches under loads of pressure to seal the game. He got the big wicket and in moments the six months of criticsm was forgotten. Hardik Pandya, the one who bowled the FInal over and the one who dismissed Heinrich Klaasen gave India the game.

He collapsed after the Final ball with a lot of emotions on show. After months of struggle, he finally had a moment to rejoice, and also had the love of Rohit Sharma, who embraced Pandya with a lot of joy.