Courtesy: BCCI/X
Team India'sOne-Day International (ODI) captain Rohit Sharma has commended Hardik Pandya’s bowling effort in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 played against South Africa in Barbados. In the last over of the final game, when the Proteas required 16 runs, Pandya removed dangerous David Miller from the crease. Fielding at the deep, Suryakumar Yadav took a brilliant grab near the boundary line assisted Pandya to conclude the southpaw’s innings. Following Miller’s departure, Pandya bowled the next five balls with a positive approach and helped India to win the game by seven runs and lift the coveted trophy after 17 years.
Recently, Rohit gave an interview on JioHostar and appreciated the star all-rounder’s effort in the last over. Commenting on the picture of him kissing Pandya, Rohit called Hardik his man and also said if the all-rounder didn’t hold his nerves, India would’ve been without the trophy that day. "This was an emotional moment. Hardik is my man, he did the job for me and the team otherwise we would've been sitting without anything in our hands," remarked the veteran.
Rohit Sharma’s equation with Hardik Pandya in IPL 2024
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, when Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were serving Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, there were reports that there was a rift between both players as Rohit was removed from Mumbai’s captaincy role and the responsibility was handed to Pandya.
However, months after the controversy, both Rohit and Pandya were seen having cordial moments after India’s remarkable success in the T20 World Cup. Both recently won the Champions Trophy 2025 together for Team India. Following the International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament, both also played for MI in IPL 2025. In the T20 competition, Rohit emerged as the second-leading run-scorer for the side, scoring 418 runs in five contests.
