\'What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya\': Sanjay Manjrekar recalls his famous on-air remark after India\'s T20 World Cup triumph

Rohit's deputy bowled the match-winning final over as India ended its long wait for an ICC title on Saturday.

Hardik Pandya was a key figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph, and his performance drew praise from former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. Pandya, who was named captain of Mumbai Indians (MI) for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, faced criticism from MI fans after replacing Rohit Sharma as the team's leader. However, Pandya silenced his critics by leading India to victory in the Caribbean tournament.

Rohit's deputy bowled the final over of the match, securing India's first ICC title since 2013. Manjrekar, who was commentating on the match for ESPNcricinfo, highlighted Pandya's impressive performance at the World Cup and recalled his earlier defense of the all-rounder after he was booed by MI fans at Wankhede Stadium during the IPL.

“What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya. In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player. We have seen that umpteen times, wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and right at the end, Rabada, so he was a champion and no surprise, to see him flourish on the big stage,” Manjrekar said.

Pandya, who was entrusted with the responsibility of defending 16 runs in the final over, conceded only 10 runs and picked up the wicket of South African batter Klaasen to seal the victory for India. Overall, Pandya finished with figures of 3/20 in three overs.

“Even in that semifinal against England, he came in and gave India some hope with 60 off 33. So that's what he is all about. You felt safe when he came to bowl in the last over, he was not going to lose his nerves, he was going to bowl sensibly,” Manjrekar added.

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