Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has recalled team’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. Rohit Sharma’s team registered a seven-run win against South Africa in Barbados to win their second T20 World Cup title. 

The Proteas were in a shoo-in position as they needed a run-a-ball 30 to win their maiden T20 World Cup crown but India bounced back with the ball. Hardik Pandya played a key role in team’s comeback as he dismissed dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, who was going all guns blazing.

Rohit gave the final over to Hardik when India had to defend 15 runs and he was able to successfully do it after dismissing David Miller on the first ball.

Hardik Pandya said in an interview with ICC, “We won as a team. But for me to play that much important role, it is just surreal. And it’s a dream which actually came true. From my shoulder, a big weight was kind of off. I think it was just a relief. Really proud of the way I was able to stand, and maybe not show a lot of emotions or how I have been going through.”

Pandya revealed he wanted to bowl outside the off-stump against Heinrich Klaasen when he bowled the 16th over of the innings.

“Just before the ball, I just told him (Rohit) that I’m gonna go wide to Klaasen and I just knew that he’s gonna expect a ball which is on the stumps. His leg was a little to the leg-side, so I knew that he’s gonna try to hit me there and that’s when I, just before my run-up, just looked at him and said I’m gonna go slow because I didn’t set a field for a slower ball,” said Hardik.

“I had to outfox him or I had to be a little one up in the game so he’s not aware of what ball is coming, because the way he was hitting it was just tremendous. That just opened the door for us.”

Pandya will be seen in action in the three-match ODI series against England. The first ODI between India and England will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur on Thursday.