Former West Indies speedster Ian Bishop has thrown his support behind Hardik Pandya expressing confidence in the Indian allrounders prospects for the T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik endured a challenging return to his former team Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 bearing the brunt of criticism from spectators wherever he went.
Bishop staunchly defends Hardik Pandya against the vehement criticism hurled by fans particularly those aligned with the Mumbai Indians asserting that such disparagement was unwarranted. Despite this Bishop admires the allrounders unparalleled mental fortitude and foresees a resurgence in impactful performances for the Men in Blue.
Ian Bishop had the following to say about Hardik Pandya to the host broadcaster of the T20 World Cup:
“I think he is a pretty strong personality. I would like to think that the other members of the team would have rallied around him. What he endured during the IPL, some of it was not of his own making. I just wish fans could have approached it maybe a little differently, but they have the right to voice their views however they see fit.”
Ian Bishop
Hardik played an important role in the T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh. He scored 40 off 23 balls as the Men in Blue cruised to a 60-run victory.
Hardik Pandya opens up on his tough phase
Hardik Pandya scored 216 runs for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 and took 11 wickets at a 10.75 economy rate. His lack of performances, along with the pressure from the fans, may have taken its toll on the all-rounder.
However, in an interview with Star Sports following the warm-up game, Hardik discussed his problems and emphasized the importance of staying in the battle and focusing on his progress. He said:
“Sometimes life puts you in situations where things are tough, but I believe that if you leave the game or the field, the battle that is, you won’t get what you want from your sport, or the results you are looking for. I don’t take my successes too seriously. Whatever I have done well, I have forgotten about them immediately and moved forward. Same with difficult times. I don’t run away from it. I face everything with [my] chin up.”
Hardik Pandya
Hardik also said that he had been inspired since he was 16 years old and had to make his ambition a reality without the resources he currently had.
