Krunal Pandya Recounts Toughest 6 Months of T20 World Cup-Winning Brother Hardik in Emotional Post

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Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya recalled the toughest six months of his T20 World Cup-winning brother Hardik Pandya in an emotional post on social media, saying he didn't deserve what he went through in that phase.

Right from the day Hardik was announced as captain of Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024, replacing Rohit Sharma, the star all-rounder had earned a lot of flak from fans as well as some of the experts for no mistake of his own.

The 30-year-old was booed by his own fans with the noise following whenever he led Mumbai Indians in the recent tournament. The boos, however, turned into cheers on Thursday (July 4) when Hardik returned to the Wankhede Stadium with the T20 World Cup trophy.

The younger Pandya played a key role in India's triumph at the show-piece tournament in USA and the Caribbean, and also bowled the team to victory from jaws of defeat against South Africa in the all important final.

Just as the moment sunk in to the billions of Indians, Hardik's brother Krunal was relieved that his brother to fulfill his childhood dream of winning the World Cup for the country despite all the outside noise and what he has gone through in the last 6 months.

Taking to Instagram, Krunal posted: "It's almost been a decade since Hardik and I started playing professional cricket. And the last few days have been like a fairy tale that we've dreamt off."

"Like every countryman I've lived this through our teams heroics and I couldn't be more emotional with my brother being at the heart of it."

Recounting on the jeers and nast comments, Krunal added: "The last six months have been the toughest for Hardik. He simply didn't deserve what he went through, and as a brother, I felt very, very bad for him.

"From booing, to people saying all kinds of nasty things, at the end of the day, we all forgot that he is just a human being who also has emotions.

"He somehow passed through all of this with a smile, though I know how hard it was for him to put on a smile. He kept working hard and focusing on what he needed to do to get the World Cup since that was his ultimate objective."

After Hardik fulfilled his long standing dream, the elder Pandya revealed his brother's journey and his ambitions as a kid before reminding about his achievement in a short career.

"He has now played his heart out to realise India's long standing dream - And nothing has ever meant to him more. From the age of 6 - It's playing for the country and winning the World Cup that's been the dream," Krunal said.

"I just want to remind people that what Hardik has done in such a short span in his career is unbelievable. His efforts for the national team have never been compromised. Every time, at every stage of Hardik's life, people have written him off, and that has only motivated him to come back even stronger.

"For Hardik, it has always been country first, and it will always be that way. For a young boy coming from Baroda, there can be no bigger achievement than helping his team win the World Cup," Pandya posted on Instagram.

Krunal Pandya then concluded his post by telling Hardik that he now deserves every bit of love that's coming his way after the all-rounder played a key role in India ending a 13-year wait to lift the World Cup.

"Hardik, I am so, so proud of you. I love you so much, and you deserve every bit of happiness and all the good things that are coming your way. I have immense respect for you, my bachhu," Krunal concluded.