Hardik Pandya’s Tough Return to Cricket
Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket was marred by a series of challenges following an ankle injury he sustained during last year’s ICC World Cup. After being named captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in a dramatic trade from Gujarat Titans, Pandya faced relentless online trolling. The negativity wasn’t confined to social media; he was also booed at various venues, including MI’s home ground, Wankhede Stadium, and GT’s home turf, Narendra Modi Stadium.
Struggles as MI Captain
Pandya’s tenure as MI captain started on a sour note, with the team finishing last in the 10-team table for the second time in three seasons. His personal performance suffered as well, with him scoring just 216 runs at an average of 18 and taking 11 wickets at an average of 35.18 and an economy of 10.75. These struggles led some to question his place in India’s squad for the ongoing T20 World Cup, suggesting Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh might be better suited for the middle order.
Selection and Resurgence
Despite the doubts, Pandya was selected for the India squad and named vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. This selection seemed to rejuvenate him. He made his first appearance since his injury in a match against Bangladesh, the same team he faced when he got injured.
Revival in the T20 World Cup
Pandya’s form saw a dramatic improvement once he donned the Indian jersey. In a warm-up match against Bangladesh in New York, he scored an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, helping India post 182 runs. His bowling also improved significantly in the Group A matches. He took 3/27 against Ireland, 2/24 against Pakistan, and 2/14 against the USA, boasting an impressive economy rate of 3.50 in the latter game. These performances placed him at the top of the wicket-takers’ list for India, tied with Arshdeep Singh but ranked higher due to his superior average and economy.
Relief from Captaincy
With the captaincy pressure lifted, Pandya’s performance with both bat and ball has been outstanding. This resurgence is a positive sign for the Indian team, which is eager to end its 11-year ICC title drought.
Conclusion
Hardik Pandya’s journey from a struggling captain to a key player in the T20 World Cup highlights his resilience and ability to bounce back. His improved form is a promising development for India’s cricket aspirations.(cricket betting tips)