In the list of great comebacks, Hardik Pandya's story would probably be the most ambitious in the history of Indian cricket. From an acute ankle injury during the ODI World Cup to in months finding himself at the top spot, Pandya's journey is the talk of the town in what getting up after fall means.
Having been a stalwart of the Mumbai Indians side, Pandya spent a couple of years with the Gujarat Titans before re-signing with his former side. When he eventually did return back to the franchise, it all got a bit dramatic, as he took over as the new captain in place of Rohit Sharma, something which didn't do down with a lot of fans.
Boos and negativity during his initial matches courted huge fan disapproval, especially during his first home game at the Wankhede Stadium. However, with time, Pandya's perseverance and performances won back the crowd.
Never before had Pandya been celebrated with such deafening cheers, ubiquitous fanfare as by the end of that season. His captaincy and defining contributions, including bowling over crucial wickets like Heinrich Klaasen's in the final, established him as a legitimate hero for fans of the Mumbai Indians.
At the end of the journey, a crowning victory at Wankhede Stadium ensured a proud Pandya showed off the trophy to fans who adore him, a reception much different from the earlier stages. He would dismiss the criticism with a shrug of the shoulders and come good when the chips were down; that was the reflection of his mental strength and will to make him collect accolades and also respect across the cricketing fraternity.
The calls of "Hardik. Hardik" from the fans resonated during the revelry as an affirmation of the realization and rebirth of love and trust in him as a leader and champion of Mumbai Indians.
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