Irfan Pathan Challenges Pandya’s Vice-Captaincy
Hardik Pandya’s appointment as vice-captain of the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup was met with skepticism from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. Irfan openly criticized Pandya’s performances during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, where Pandya played for the Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite facing significant backlash, Pandya has since made a remarkable comeback.
Criticism During IPL 2024
Throughout the IPL 2024 season, Irfan Pathan did not hold back in expressing his disappointment with Pandya’s performance. The star all-rounder was heavily criticized for his mistakes on the field, leading to doubts about his ability to fulfill his role as vice-captain for the national team. Pandya’s struggles in the IPL were a major talking point, with MI fans voicing their displeasure by booing him during matches.
Redemption in the T20 World Cup
Despite the negative reception and intense scrutiny, Pandya rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Leading up to the T20 World Cup, he faced considerable pressure but managed to turn things around spectacularly. In the final against South Africa, Pandya’s outstanding performance in defending 16 runs in the last over secured India’s second ICC World T20 crown. This victory marked a significant milestone in his career and silenced many of his critics.
Pathan’s Acknowledgment
After the World Cup, Irfan Pathan reflected on his earlier criticisms of Pandya in an interview with Star Sports. Pathan acknowledged Pandya’s journey of redemption, stating, “It’s been a special journey for Hardik Pandya. Coming back from all the criticism, I was actually the one who criticized him because he was not performing during the IPL time. He was making a lot of mistakes at that time.”
Leadership Transition in MI
Hardik Pandya’s transition to leadership in MI was challenging. He replaced Rohit Sharma as the MI skipper for IPL 2024, a move that did not sit well with fans. Under Pandya’s captaincy, MI became the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race. Despite this setback, Pandya’s resilience and eventual success in the T20 World Cup highlighted his growth as a player and a leader.
A Special Achievement
Pathan praised Pandya for his determination and performance, particularly in collaboration with teammates like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. “From there to coming back and winning the World Cup has been special. He showed the character, he performed. With Rohit Sharma, with Jasprit Bumrah, the kind of performance he did to make a difference to the Indian cricket team has been so special,” Pathan added.
Hardik Pandya’s journey from criticism to triumph is a testament to his resilience and dedication, ultimately earning him a place in the annals of Indian cricket history.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)