Suresh Raina Backs Hardik Pandya To Come Good In The T20 World Cup 2024

Hardik Pandya, the star Indian all-rounder, faced a challenging stint in the IPL 2024 season. The 30-year-old embarked on a new journey, transitioning from the Gujarat Titans to the Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal, assuming the mantle of captaincy. However, Mumbai Indians endured a tumultuous campaign under his leadership, culminating in a disappointing 10th-place finish in the standings. With only four victories from their fourteen matches, Pandya and his team grappled with consistent losses, failing to secure a berth beyond the group stage.

Throughout the season, Pandya found himself under the intense scrutiny of fans and critics alike. Criticism mounted against his performances on the field and strategic decisions off it, contributing to Mumbai Indians' premature exit from the tournament. Despite the setbacks, Pandya's resilience shone through as he secured a spot in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, highlighting his importance as one of the team's primary all-rounders.

Amidst the turbulent IPL season, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina emerged as a staunch supporter of Pandya. Raina publicly endorsed Pandya, expressing confidence in his ability to deliver a standout performance for India in the imminent T20 World Cup. As Pandya prepares to represent his nation on the global stage, Raina's vote of confidence serves as a morale boost, reaffirming faith in Pandya's talent and potential to excel despite the recent challenges faced in the IPL arena.

“He has done really well (for India). Temporary poor form does not make someone bad. When he will perform well against Pakistan in the World Cup, everyone will praise him,” Suresh Raina was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya's significance in India's T20I squad is undeniable, having even captained the team during the 2023 season when Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli focused on ODI World Cup duties. Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup 2024, India will commence their campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday, June 5. Notably, both teams belong to Group A in the tournament, alongside Pakistan, the USA, and Canada. Following the encounter with Ireland, India will face their arch-rivals Pakistan in the 19th match of the tournament on Sunday, June 9.