North Sound (Antigua): Hardik Pandya recalled Rahul Dravid’s words on ‘luck’ and ‘hard work’ after te India all-rounder’s show with bat and ball helped India seal a 50-run win over Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. With this win, India have almost sealed their place in the semifinals with four points from two games. If Australia manage to beat Afghanistan on Sunday morning, then Rohit Sharma’s men will officially enter the last four stage.
Bangladesh seem to play a special role in Pandya’s career. His tough times started against the Bangla Tigers last year in October when the 30-year-old was ruled out of the ODI World Cup at home due to a heel injury. The injury kept him out for months before enduring a torrid time at Mumbai Indians in IPL.
Eighth months down the line, it was Bangladesh again against whom Pandya got his mojo back with an unbeaten 50 and a wicket en route to Men in Blue’s second win in Super 8 stage. “I have been fortunate to play for the country, it was a freak injury I had, I wanted to come back but God had other plans,” Pandya said after the match.
It was Pandya’s 27-ball 50 not out and a half-century stand with Shivam Dube (34) for the fifth wicket that propelled India to closer to 200. With the ball, Pandya took the wicket of Litton Das. “I was speaking to our coach Rahul sir (Dravid) and he said ‘Luck comes to people who work hard’ and that has stuck with me for a long time,” Pandya, who won the Player of the Match award this day, said.
India captain Rohit Sharma too heaped high praise on Pandya. “I mentioned in the last game as well, him batting well puts us in a good stead. We want to finish well after the top 5, 6, Hardik being Hardik we know what he is capable of. He is a very important player for us, if he can keep doing that, it will put us in good positions,” said Rohit.
