IND vs WI: "Not A Pleasing Batting Performance" - Hardik Pandya Slams Batters After Loss In 2nd T20I
Published - 07 Aug 2023, 02:18 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:16 AM
Hardik Pandya-led India National Cricket Team lost by 2 wickets against Rovman Powell-led West Indies National Cricket Team in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Sunday, August 06.
India won the toss and opted to bat first in the match. They posted 152/7 on the board thanks to Tilak Varma’s maiden T20I half-century. Also, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya chipped in with crucial contributions.
Chasing the target, West Indies were off to the worst possible start as they lost two wickets in the first over itself while Kyle Mayers was dismissed inside the powerplay.
It was once again Nicholas Pooran, who brought back the momentum towards his side with an amazing fifty. West Indies were in a prime position to seal the victory at 126/4. However, they lost back-to-back wickets and were reduced to 129/8.
In the end, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph added 26 runs in 17 balls to guide their side to victory. Now West Indies have taken a 2-0 lead in the series. Also, this was the first time West Indies have defeated India in two consecutive T20Is since 2016.
If am being honest that was not a pleasing batting performance – Hardik Pandya
Speaking after the match, Hardik Pandya expressed disappointment over the batting performance of his side. Hardik Pandya elaborated:
“If am being honest that was not a pleasing batting performance, we could have batted better. 160+ or 170 would have been a good total. The way he has been batting, becomes very difficult to rotate spinners. 2/2 and the way he batted, took the game quite into their hands.”
Hardik Pandya further spoke about the current combination India have, saying that they have to trust their top 7 batters to perform throughout the series and hope that the bowlers lead the team to victory. He also showered rich praise on Tilak Varma for his terrific fifty. Hardik Pandya said:
“With the current combination we have we will have to trust out top 7 batters to come good and hope the bowlers win you games. We have to find ways to make sure we have the right balance but at the same time batters need to take more responsibility. Left-hander coming at 4 gives us variety. It doesn’t feel like it’s his second international game.”
