From IPL Flop to T20 WC Hero: Hardik Pandya’s redemption arc is complete

A discussion on Indian cricket team all-rounder Hardik Pandya is hardly complete without mention of the ‘TINA’ (There is no alternative) factor in recent months. Even when the cricketer was visibly out of form during IPL 2024, fans and even some experts agreed that it is extremely difficult to abandon him due to what he brings to the game. Over the last decade, Hardik has gradually established himself as India’s premier fast bowling all-rounder and even at the moment, there are not many players who can provide these attributes for the national team. While there were some doubts when he was named vice-captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, his performance and contribution in guiding the Rohit Sharma-led team to their first T20 World Cup title in 17 years has truly proved that there really is no alternative.

The journey has not been easy at all as the decision to appoint Hardik as the captain of Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 season has not gone down well with a section of the fans. His appointment marked the end of Rohit’s ten-year tenure as MI captain and things got worse when the team lost their first three matches.

Rumors of a feud between Hardik and Rohit became common in the following weeks, with the all-rounder being booed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. On the field of play, his performance also suffered as he scored just 216 runs with the bat and took 11 wickets at an economy of 10.75.

Things were so bad that there were real discussions about dropping him for the 2024 T20 World Cup and opting for other options. However, the selectors showed confidence in the cricketer and even appointed him vice-captain in a clear indication that the administration’s support was unwavering.

While things on the field were not ideal, Hardik’s family life also faced turmoil as rumors of his alleged divorce with wife Natasa Stankovic dominated the headlines. While no concrete information was released, it was hardly the conversation Hardik needed ahead of a big ICC event.

However, after Hardik donned India’s colors in the tournament, he looked like an entirely different player. A gutsy 40 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh was followed by a tremendous bowling display that saw Hardik take 7 wickets in the three group stage matches, including three against Pakistan.

The Super 8 matches saw Hardik do well with the bat, as well as an important knock against Afghanistan and an unbeaten half-century against Bangladesh. Although the next two games were not great performances, his quick knocks were crucial against Australia and England.

It went to the final against South Africa and it was Hardik Pandya the bowler who emerged as the match winner. The slower, more perfect delivery meant the end of Heinrich Klaasen’s innings and after months of reports speculating about their divergence, Rohit handed over the responsibility of bowling the final over to Hardik.

Months of talk, speculation, rumors and criticism led to this moment and all that stood between Hardik and immortality were six balls. The stage was set perfectly and Hardik did not disappoint. Suryakumar Yadav surprised by dismissing David Miller and Hardik dismissed Kagiso Rabada by conceding just 8 runs to forever engrave his name in Indian cricketing folklore.