Hardik Pandya Aims for 10 More ICC Titles After T20 World Cup Victory
Pandya Sets Ambitious Goals for the Future
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], March 8: Following India's victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Hardik Pandya has expressed his ambition to secure ten additional ICC titles over the next decade.
In his post-match comments, the Indian all-rounder emphasized that he has many years of cricket ahead and is determined to leverage that time to help India excel in international tournaments.
"I have a decade left in my career, and my aim is to win ten more ICC titles. This victory at home is incredibly emotional. The enthusiasm from the fans is remarkable. I was confident we would win; losing was never an option for me," Pandya stated.
He also reminisced about a pivotal moment during the semi-final against England, where he bowled the 19th over, recalling how experiences from the 2024 T20 World Cup helped him maintain his composure under pressure.
"I am grateful to God. While bowling the 19th over against England, I reflected on the 2024 World Cup final. I advised Kishan and Abhishek to focus on positive memories when they bat," he shared.
Pandya commended his teammates Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson for their outstanding performances, emphasizing that hard work and patience ultimately lead to success.
"Life teaches us that when you put in the effort and find joy in others' achievements, opportunities arise. This is a lesson for the entire nation. Staying humble and working hard opens doors. I am truly proud of them," Pandya remarked.
In the match, after winning the toss, New Zealand opted to field first. India posted a formidable score of 255/5, thanks to contributions from Samson (89 runs off 46 balls), Abhishek Sharma (52 runs off 21 balls), Ishan Kishan (54 runs off 25 balls), and Shivam Dube (26* runs off 8 balls).
Despite Tim Seifert's fifty (52 runs off 26 balls), the Kiwis succumbed to the brilliance of Axar (3/27) and Bumrah (4/15), allowing the Men in Blue to clinch their third T20 World Cup title, marking them as the first team to defend the title and the first host nation to win the trophy.