Indian captain Hardik Pandya faced a wave of criticism recently due to the team’s underwhelming performance in the first two T20I matches against the West Indies. However, the narrative took a different turn after the 3rd T20I, where India secured a comfortable victory. During the chase of a 160-run target, Hardik Pandya hit a six off the final ball of the match to seal the victory. This action raised eyebrows as his batting partner, Tilak Varma, needed just one run to achieve his half-century. Pandya faced strong backlash from fans on social media, with many accusing him of selfishness.
Also read: Hardik Pandya remains unfazed with WI T20Is result says ‘long term plans’ unchanged despite the wins or losses
In the 18th over, Hardik Pandya launched a maximum off Rovman Powell’s bowling, effectively steering India to victory. However, this move left Tilak Varma stranded at 49 not-out. Fans on Twitter were quick to brand Hardik’s action as ‘self-centered.’ They didn’t hold back their critique of the seasoned cricketer, expressing their dissatisfaction with a barrage of reactions that highlighted their disapproval of his decision. Fans also drew comparisons to a past instance involving MS Dhoni, where Dhoni intentionally played a dot ball to allow Virat Kohli to complete the match.
Making his T20I debut during this series, Varma has showcased remarkable consistency as a batter. Across his most recent three matches, he recorded scores of 39, 51, and an unbeaten 49, solidifying his position as a dependable asset within the youthful team, regardless of his relatively young age.
Turning to the match, Suryakumar Yadav delivered his signature performance, showcasing his prowess against the West Indies bowlers. He compiled a noteworthy 83 runs off a mere 44 balls, featuring an impressive tally of 10 boundaries and 4 maximums, propelling India to the finish line.
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