• Source:JND
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The Wankhede Stadium witnessed a remarkable transformation in its treatment of Hardik Pandya following his heroics in the T20 World Cup final. During the victory parade and subsequent felicitation ceremony at the iconic Mumbai venue, Pandya received an overwhelming show of support and adulation from the fans. This was a stark contrast to the reception he received during the IPL 2024 season, where he faced the ire of the same crowd while leading the Mumbai Indians.

India skipper Rohit Sharma, while speaking to sports presenter Gaurav Kapur, praised Hardik for his crucial performance in the final over that secured India's World Cup triumph. Rohit's acknowledgment of Pandya's efforts drew a deafening roar from the Wankhede crowd, who chanted Hardik's name in unison, saluting the Mumbai Indians captain for his match-winning contributions.

“Hardik was bowling the last crucial over for us. Hats off to him for that last over. You know how much pressure there is to bowl that over, hats off to him,” Rohit said. Pandya, in turn, acknowledged the Wankhede crowd, expressing his gratitude during the felicitation ceremony.

However, during the IPL season, the reception was not as warm. Hardik faced chants of "Rohit, Rohit" from the MI fans in a home game at Wankhede. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, at the toss, had to urge the crowd to give Hardik a round of applause, but his appeal was met with hostility, prompting him to ask the crowd to "behave."

In the T20 World Cup final at Kensington Oval, Pandya's performance was pivotal. He picked up three wickets and conceded only 20 runs, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure and deliver in crucial moments. With Rohit Sharma retiring from the shortest format internationally, Hardik Pandya is seen as a strong contender to succeed him as India's next T20I captain. His redemption arc, completed in the Caribbean, has seemingly won over the hearts of MI and India fans alike.

Pandya's performance in the T20 World Cup have set a new narrative, positioning him as a key figure in India's cricketing future.