'Whenever Life Knocks You Down, You Can, & Will, Rise Again': Anand Mahindra Calls Hardik Pandya His 'Monday Motivation'

Anand Mahindra heaps praise on Hardik Pandya

India’s business tycoon Anand Mahindra heaped praise on Hardik Pandya for bringing glory to the country. The all-rounder played a crucial role in India’s journey to the T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean. Just a few weeks ago, he was immensely criticised for his poor performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Mumbai Indians fans didn’t welcome the all-rounder as the new skipper and booed him at the match venues. But Pandya dodged all the criticism and the negativity around him with a big smile on his face.

But on June 29, when India scripted history by defeating South Africa and clinching the T20 World Cup 2024, his eyes were drenched in tears. The Proteas needed 16 off the last 6 balls and Pandya was tasked to defend it. The Indian vice-captain picked up the crucial wicket of David Miller and also got rid of Kagiso Rabada to help India register a historic 7-wicket win.

Donning the Indian jersey and giving his best for the country, certainly changed his stature from a villain to a national hero. His tears of joy touched every Indian vouching for India’s win in Barbados and Mahindra was no different.

The Indian business giant shared Pandya’s photo on social media and wrote a heartfelt note before calling him his ‘#MondayMotivation’.

“Take a good look. This is the face of a sportsperson who was being heckled on the field and roasted on social media a very short while ago. His tears came from seeing redemption. Because when that picture was taken, he was a hero again. For having bowled the nerve-wracking last over in the #T20WorldCupFinal and being one of the key players in achieving India’s victory,” Mahindra wrote on X.

“The moral? Whenever life deals you a blow & knocks you down… You can, and will, Rise again… He’s my #MondayMotivation,” he concluded.

Pandey conceded 8 runs and took the wickets of David Miller as well as Kagiso Rabada in the 20th over, leading to India’s win in the tournament. Overall, Pandya bagged 11 wickets and scored 144 runs, including a half-century, in the tournament.

“Very emotional, we’ve been working very hard but something was not clicking but today was the day we fulfilled what the whole nation wanted. More special for me, is how my last 6 months were, I have been very graceful in not speaking a word, things have been very unfair but I believe that if I keep working hard there will be a time when I will shine and do what I could do,” Pandya had said after India’s victory.

“That sums everything up. It was a dream to win. Getting an opportunity like this makes it even more special. We always believed we could do it, it was just about executing our plans and staying calm and letting the pressure come to them,” he added.

Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.