"Things have been unfair, but I knew there'd be a time I could shine"- Hardik Pandya opens up after India's 2024 T20 World Cup final win vs SA

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya opened up on withstanding a torrid past few months after the 2024 T20 World Cup final win over South Africa. He delivered when it counted the most after his match-winning bowling performance in Barbados on June 29.

The 30-year-old was called on to bowl two crucial overs at the death with the game slipping away from India. With South Africa requiring only 30 off 30 deliveries to win their maiden World Cup title, Hardik dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen for a 27-ball 52. He conceded only four runs to keep India in the contest.

The champion all-rounder then had to defend 16 off the final over and delivered the knockout punch by giving up only eight runs and bagging two wickets. Hardik's spell of 3/20 in three overs helped the Men in Blue clinch their second T20 World Cup title by seven runs.

As the celebrations were in full flow, Hardik spoke to Star Sports to reflect on his turnaround from a dismal IPL 2024 campaign to this moment.

"It's very emotional, something was not clicking, but this was something the whole nation wanted. Special for me after my six months, I haven't spoken a word, things have been unfair, but I knew there'd be a time I could shine. An opportunity like this makes it all the more special," said Hardik Pandya.

He added:

"We always believed, stayed calm, let the pressure come to them. Last over, I knew I had to execute my plans. All of a sudden my run-up speed increases. I have been in this situation, I enjoy the pressure situation."

Hardik Pandya was made the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain for the 2024 IPL season replacing Rohit Sharma. However, he was booed by fans in most of the stadiums as his individual performances suffered and the team finished at the bottom of the points table.

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Hardik Pandya starred with bat and ball for India in 2024 T20 World Cup

Hardik Pandya bounced back from his dismal 2024 IPL campaign in style throughout the just-concluded T20 World Cup.

Coming into bat as the finisher, he scored 144 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57 in eight outings. His bowling helped India attain the perfect team balance with three spinners in the playing XI.

Hardik picked up 11 wickets at an excellent average of 17.36 and an economy of 7.64. The charismatic all-rounder left India's final run in the 2023 ODI World Cup with an injury midway through the tournament.

Yet, his all-round heroics played a vital role in the side breaking their 11-year ICC title drought.