‘To All You MI Fans Out There...’: Ab de Villiers Silences Hardik Pandya Haters With One Statement

On the historical day of June 29, 2024, Hardik Pandya collapsed to the ground right  after Anrich Nortje hit the final ball of the final over to Arshdeep Singh at sweeper cover, securing India's T20 World Cup title. Tears were streaming down the face of the vice-captain a moment later. Hardik had faced many difficulties in the last several months, including unrelenting jeers from Mumbai Indians supporters, but he overcame them all to win India's match against South Africa in the final match of the tournament. With a total of 11 wickets and 144 runs, Hardik finished the tournament as the world champion after taking 3 wickets for 20 runs in this pivotal match.

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AB de Villiers pays respect to Hardik Pandya for his heroics against South Africa in the T20 World Cup final 

One of South Africa's greatest players, AB de Villiers, has paid huge respect to the all-rounder for his incredible performance on the big stage of the T20 World Cup, even as Hardik Pandya and India broke many South African hearts. Feeling deeply moved, Hardik eventually talked to the announcers about the struggles he had been going through in the last few months hinting the lacklustre and struggles during the IPL 2024. AB De Villiers, who was very appreciative to Hardik, took care to express his gratitude and encouragement to everyone who had questioned Hardik Pandya. Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said: 

"What stands out for me are the big moments. A guy like Hardik Pandya who's been through a roller-coaster himself with Mumbai Indians – moving from Gujarat to Mumbai – and all the criticism he coped with, getting the ball from the captain in the final of the T20 World Cup. That was his moment to go like, 'You know what… all Indian fans out there, this is what I am about as a cricket player'," 

“He made everyone proud out there. Even though I did not want him to succeed like that, I look back and have a lot of respect for that. He is a big man for a big moment and that's exactly the way he played. To all you Mumbai Indians fans out there who doubted him, I'm pretty sure he has secured a spot in your hearts for the future.”

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In the following time, Hardik Pandya was named the top T20I all-round player in the entire world on Wednesday in recognition of his exceptional all-around performance in the ICC T20 World Cup for India.