Rohit Sharma's emotional speech leaves Hardik Pandya in tears at ...

Hardik Pandya was in tears as outgoing captain Rohit Sharma credited Hardik Pandya for bowling a superb last over in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. Pandya was emotional after listening to Sharma's speech at the Wankhede Stadium.

Hardik Pandya defended 16 runs in last over vs SA. (Courtesy: AP)

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was in tears after listening to Rohit Sharma's speech at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, 4 July. Speaking during India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory celebrations, Sharma credited Hardik Pandya for the title win. Rohit said that Pandya's ability to remain cool and calm helped India dismiss David Miller, who the side considered as one of the most dangerous players in the world.

Rohit's speech had Hardik Pandya in tears as the player went through a roller-coaster of emotions on his return to Wankhede, MI's home in the Indian Premier League.

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Pandya was heckled and abused by this same Mumbai crowd during the IPL 2024 season when he had taken over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma at MI. Pandya, who debuted for MI in the IPL, had left the team and gone to captain GT in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the tournament. The all-rounder returned to MI in 2024 amidst much controversy, which had the fans divided.

The star all-rounder and the vice-captain of the Indian team was given the responsibility to bowl the last over when India had to defend 16 runs in the last over. The way he sobbed after getting the job done for India showcased what this win meant to him. He bowled like a champion to give India a victory by 7 runs.

Pandya was crucial in pulling India back into the competition in the summit clash with the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen in the 17th over of the game. At that stage, South Africa were almost cruising with the win and needed just 26 runs from 24 balls. After Klaasen's wicket, the Indian bowlers scripted one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the history of the T20 World Cup finals. It was a fitting finale for the man who had come clutch at the right time when India needed it the most.

Notably, Suryakumar showed great presence of mind as he held on to a mind-boggling catch at long-off to turn the game in India’s favour in the last over of the thrilling final.

With 16 runs needed to win off the last six balls, South Africa’s David Miller hit a full toss from Hardik Pandya high in the air towards long-off. However, the southpaw failed to get the distance with the ball dropping just inside the boundary towards Suryakumar who managed to grab it safely.

The momentum seemed to be taking away the Indian fielder over the boundary but he showed great presence of mind to get rid of the ball at the right time as he fell outside boundary. Suryakumar quickly jumped inside to once again grab hold of the ball and completed one of the greatest catches ever in the final of an ICC event. As a result, Miller had to return back to the pavilion after scoring 21 (17) with his team still requiring 16 to win off the last five balls.

After dismissing Miller, Pandya held his nerve and successfully defended 15 runs to help India win their second T20 World Cup by seven runs.