DUBAI: As he basked in the glory of India’s success on Sunday night, star allrounder Hardik Pandya seemed overcome with emotion.
Eight years ago, he played the lone warrior, single-handedly putting up a fight by smashing a blazing 43-ball 76 in a chase of 338 against Pakistan in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy at the Oval. However, he was eventually run out due to an error by his partner Ravindra Jadeja.
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India went on to lose by a soul-crushing 180 runs, spurring changes in the team’s ODI setup. Clearly, the 31-year-old Pandya was delighted to have finally buried those ghosts.
“I can say that an incomplete dream is over today. But eight years is a very long time. A lot happened in my life over those eight years. At the same time, winning — and that too for India — is something very, very important to me. If that happens, toh sab bhala (then all is well). And this isn’t just a dialogue; it’s a rule of my life.
“I’ve always maintained that if Hardik Pandya doesn’t do anything, it’s fine. But if the team does well, it’ll be great,” Pandya, brimming with joy in his white jacket presented to the tournament winners, told reporters.
“I hope everyone is happy back home and celebrating. I remember 2017 very closely. We couldn’t finish the job that time,” he added.
Overall, Pandya enjoyed a fine run in the tournament, scoring 99 runs in four innings at an average of 24.75, with crucial knocks against New Zealand (45 off 45 balls) and Australia (28 off 24 balls, including three huge sixes) while batting at No. 7.
With the ball, the right-arm seamer paired up superbly with Mohammed Shami. The Mumbai Indians’ captain scalped four wickets in five matches at an average of 35.75, with his best performance being 2 for 31 in eight overs against Pakistan.
The past year has been a rollercoaster ride for Pandya, from being removed as India’s T20I and ODI captain to being retained as the Mumbai Indians captain despite a failed campaign. The man has seen it all.
“The year was full of learnings and challenges. My mindset has never taught me to run away from challenges. I have always believed that if the challenges are tough, throw some punches. If you don’t leave the battlefield, then you have a chance. If you don’t trust yourself, how can others trust you?”
