Former South African batsman and current commentator AB de Villiers has made a significant statement about Hardik Pandya. A few months ago, during the IPL, Hardik Pandya faced severe criticism from Mumbai Indians fans, who used derogatory language and even made racial comments. They accused Pandya of betraying Rohit Sharma to take over Mumbai Indians’ captaincy. During that period, Pandya was going through a tough time, facing immense pressure.
Wherever he went, fans would taunt him with inappropriate names, severely affecting his mental health. Despite several commentators and former players standing up for Pandya and urging fans to maintain decorum, emotionally-driven fans continued their harsh criticism.
However, Hardik Pandya, a champion all-rounder, did not take long to change his fate and script a new chapter in his career. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Pandya played a crucial role in India’s incredible victory. Over eight matches, he took 11 wickets and scored 144 runs at a commendable strike rate.
Here’s what Ab de Villiers said about Hardik Pandya:
“He made everyone proud out there. Even though I did not want him to succeed like that, I look back and have a lot of respect for that. He is a big man for a big moment and that’s exactly the way he played. To all you Mumbai Indians fans out there who doubted him, I’m pretty sure he has secured a spot in your hearts for the future.”
“What stands out for me are the big moments. A guy like Hardik Pandya who’s been through a roller-coaster himself with Mumbai Indians – moving from Gujarat to Mumbai – and all the criticism he coped with, getting the ball from the captain in the final of the T20 World Cup. That was his moment to go like, ‘You know what… all Indian fans out there, this is what I am about as a cricket player.”
It seemed as if destiny was guiding Pandya for this moment, something he had been striving for a long time. The final over of the World Cup, which Pandya bowled, defending 16 runs against David Miller, was nothing short of heroic.
Following India’s World Cup triumph, Hardik Pandya ascended to the top of the ICC all-rounder rankings, becoming the first Indian all-rounder to achieve the top spot in T20 cricket. In just three to four months, Pandya transformed from a villain to a hero, and now his praises are being sung everywhere.
However, his journey was not easy, marked by mental struggles, continuous challenges, and enduring losses. Yet, his resilience and determination to give his best illustrate why Hardik Pandya is a champion player. AB de Villiers’ recent remarks about Pandya are a testament to his remarkable turnaround.
