IND vs WI: Harsha Bhogle Defends Hardik Pandya Over Halting Tilak Varma’s Fifty
Published - 10 Aug 2023, 07:48 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 09:37 AM
Hardik Pandya was criticised by many Indian fans for not allowing Tilak Varma to complete his half-century during the recent India vs West Indies 3rd T20I. Reputed commentator Harsha Bhogle has come out in support of Hardik Pandya over the matter.
Harsha Bhogle took to Twitter and said that 50 is not a landmark in T20Is. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma were on strike when India needed just a few more runs to win the match. Varma, who was playing his third international game, was batting at 49 when the team needed 2 more runs for victory.
However, Hardik Pandya shattered a six to finish the game. Hence, Varma could not reach his fifty in the match. This angered some cricket fans who felt that Pandya should have given the strike to Varma so that he could score another T20I fifty.
Puzzled By Discussion Around Tilak Varma Missing Out On A 50: Harsha Bhogle
On Thursday (August 10), Harsha Bhogle took to Twitter to reveal his opinions on the matter. The 62-year-old said he was puzzled by the discussion over Tilak Varma’s missing out on fifty in IND vs WI 3rd T20I. According to Harsha Bhogle, a fifty isn’t a landmark in T20I cricket.
“I am puzzled by the discussion around Tilak Varma missing out on a 50. It isn’t a landmark, in fact other than a century (which is rare), there are no landmarks in T20 cricket,” the Indian commentator wrote on Twitter.
I Don’t Believe 50s Should Be Recorded In Individual Stats In T20Is: Harsha Bhogle
Bhogle, a popular cricket commentator and reputed journalist, also feels that we are far obsessed with individual achievements within a team sport like cricket. According to him, strike rate and averages matter more than the 50s in T20I cricket.
“We are far too obsessed with individual achievement within a team sport. I don’t believe 50s should be recorded in individual stats in T20 cricket. If you have made enough runs quickly enough (avg and SR), that is all that matters,” Harsha Bhogle added in his tweet. Have a look at his tweet below.
I am puzzled by the discussion around Tilak Varma missing out on a 50. It isn't a landmark, in fact other than a century (which is rare), there are no landmarks in T20 cricket. We are far too obsessed with individual achievement within a team sport. I don't believe 50s should be…
However, it is to be noted that Harsha Bhogle did not name Hardik Pandya in his tweet and indirectly voiced his opinions in his favour. While Varma hit an unbeaten 49 in the match, Pandya remained unbeaten on 20 with 1 six and 1 four.
Also Read: IND vs WI: Irfan Pathan Takes Sly Dig At Hardik Pandya With Cryptic Post
However, Suryakumar Yadav was the star of the match with his 44-ball-83. The right-handed batter shattered yet another amazing score in T20Is to lead India to victory by 6 wickets. He also won the Player of the Match award.
Tagged:
Hardik Pandya Harsha Bhogle IND vs WI India National Cricket Team India vs West Indies Suryakumar Yadav Tilak Varma West Indies National Cricket Team
