NEW DELHI: “India win the T20 World Cup after 17 years. The drought is over. Despair a thought for what Hardik Pandya has finished in the final half an hour” — the passionate phrases of the previous cricketer and ex-Crew India head coach Ravi Shastri nonetheless resonate within the ears of Indian cricket followers. India clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy after defeating South Africa in an exciting remaining.
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What Do You Assume About Hardik Pandya’s Efficiency within the T20 World Cup Ultimate?
India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya — one of many architects of India’s T20 World Cup triumph — spoke to the ICC in an interview, reflecting on the exhilarating remaining in opposition to South Africa and the way he maintained his composure within the pressure-cooker environment.
Pandya additionally shared insights into his technique for dismissing the harmful Heinrich Klaasen.
“There wasn’t a lot spoken. Rohit and I’ve performed collectively for thus a few years. He is aware of my character, my persona, and the way a lot I worth cricket consciousness. Simply earlier than the ball, I informed him that I used to be going to bowl extensive to Klaasen. I simply knew he would expect a supply on the stumps. His stance was barely leg-side dominant, so I anticipated he would attempt to hit me there,” Pandya stated.
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“Simply earlier than my run-up, proper earlier than I began, I checked out him and was about to say, ‘I’m going to bowl a slower one.’ However I hadn’t set a discipline for a slower ball. I needed to outfox him, to be one step forward within the recreation so he wouldn’t anticipate the supply. The way in which he was hitting was simply super. That second, I feel, opened the door for us.
“I’ve at all times thrived in and loved these high-pressure conditions; they carry out the very best in me. I’ve at all times visualized myself bowling the final over or scoring the successful run in a World Cup remaining.
“In Barbados, there was a powerful breeze blowing towards the dressing room facet. If he needed to pull me, he must hit in opposition to the wind, which elevated the possibilities of a mistimed shot. My energy would have been a stump yorker, however we intentionally went exterior off-stump for a selected purpose—if he needed to hit us, he needed to do it in opposition to the percentages, not in his favorable zone. That was pure situational consciousness and understanding our strengths. I feel that’s why we remained calm and composed with our plans.
“Rohit and I spoke after the sport as effectively. When the ball went up within the air, it initially appeared like it could land contained in the 30-yard circle or {that a} fielder must run in. However then we noticed the wind carrying it farther and farther, and it simply saved going—it didn’t cease.
“And clearly, what Surya did in that second, with such presence of thoughts and tranquility, was sheer brilliance. We gained as a crew, however for me to play such a vital function—it feels surreal. It’s a dream that truly got here true.
“It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The aid of the previous six, seven, eight months simply washed over me. I’m actually, actually pleased with how I stood robust. Perhaps I didn’t present a lot emotion, however all the pieces I had been going by way of simply got here out in that second. The stress, the burden I had been carrying, simply lifted, and I assumed, ‘Sure… lastly, I did it for my nation,’” Pandya stated.
