After IPL boos, Hardik returns to Mumbai as India's T20 World Cup hero

Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians (MI) replacing Rohit Sharma as skipper initially sparked anger among fans. The transition was not well-received, and Pandya faced the brunt of the fans' discontent. It had a detrimental effect on his personal game, besides five-time IPL champions MI enduring one of their poorest seasons. However, the tide turned dramatically with Pandya delivering India's T20 World Cup-winning over in the final against South Africa in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29.