“He was under pressure coming into the T20 World Cup” – Wasim Jaffer lauds Hardik Pandya for playing key role in India’s triumph

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer showered praise on Hardik Pandya for delivering the goods in the T20 World Cup 2024. The right-hander scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57 in the T20I showpiece. Pandya also scalped 11 wickets in eight matches at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.61.

Additionally, Pandya played a huge role in the all-important final against South Africa, returning with 3-20 in the three overs he bowled. Pandya got the big wicket of Heinrich Klaasen on the first ball of the 17th over when the right-hander was going all guns blazing. 

Rohit Sharma also backed Hardik Pandya for the final over and he was able to dismiss David Miller with Suryakumar Yadav taking a fine catch at long-off boundary.

Wasim Jaffer said while talking on his YouTube Channel, “Would like to specially mention Hardik because he was under pressure coming into the T20 World Cup. But hats off to him for the way he stepped up with both bat and ball and delivered. We all know what kind of pressure he was under but he put his hand up and performed exceedingly well.”

Jaffer reckons Suryakumar Yadav’s catch under pressure was the game-changing moment. SA needed 16 runs off the final over and it could have been a different story had the first ball carried for six.

“Suryakumar Yadav’s catch was a game-changing moment according to me. If that catch wouldn’t have happened and if it would have gone for a six, 10 runs from four (five) balls would have been an easy job for Miller.”

The former domestic giant also hailed Jasprit Bumrah’s spell as he returned with figures of 2-18. Bumrah accounted for Reeza Hendricks and Marco Jansen with brilliant deliveries.

“Bumrah being Bumrah bowled incredibly well and rightly deserves to win the Player of the Tournament award. The way he bowled throughout the tournament and in the final, hats off to him.”

India came up with a collective effort to lift their second T20 World Cup title and deserves all the credit.