Fri Oct 04 14:06:46 UTC 2024: ## Harbhajan Singh Defends Hardik Pandya: “He is Our Player, Not Just a Franchise Player”
**Kanpur:** Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has come out in support of Hardik Pandya, who faced criticism for his performances in the recent past. In an exclusive interview with Sports Yaari’s Sushant Mehta, Singh stressed that Pandya is “our player” and not just a franchise player, highlighting his contribution to the Indian team.
Singh explained that the captaincy is a team management decision and that Pandya, with his experience, was the right choice. He emphasized the importance of recognizing Pandya’s contributions to India beyond the short-term franchise cricket.
“There are a lot of unfortunate things that have happened to him, and he has had some bad luck,” Singh said. “But in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he proved himself. Despite all the criticism, he showed everyone what he is capable of.”
Singh acknowledged the mental impact of excessive criticism on a player and lauded Pandya’s performance in the World Cup, especially his game-changing final over. He urged fans to support the Indian players and encourage them for future tournaments.
“He is our player,” Singh reiterated, “and we should be proud of his achievements for India.”
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