IND vs WI: "Ok To Be Unique" - Hardik Pandya On Becoming First Indian Captain To Lose WI ODIs Since 2006

Hardik Pandya will continue leading the Indian team in the third ODI against West Indies at Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. The management has rested regular skipper Rohit Sharma along with Virat Kohli for the series decider, after losing the last game by 6 wickets.

India didn’t play Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the second game with Hardik Pandya leading the team and their absence was quite evident as batters struggled to get going and were bundled out with just 181 runs. With young players continuing to play in the final game as well, it’s fair to say West Indies have a great chance to win the series.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Hoping Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Are Forced To Play 3rd ODI – Wasim Jaffer

India haven’t lost a bilateral ODI series to West Indies since 2006. If they lose the series today, Hardik Pandya will become the first Indian captain to suffer a series defeat against the West Indies in 17 years.

During the toss time, Hardik Pandya was asked if wants to to be the captain to break the trend of winning against West Indies. His reply caught many by surprise as he said that he is okay to be unique. Here’s how the conversation went:

India haven’t lost a bilateral ODI series in more than a decade Vs WI. You don’t want to be the captain to break the trend?

Hardik Pandya – “It’s okay to be unique”.

Also Read: IND vs WI Head to Head In ODIs, 3rd ODI- India vs West Indies Head to Head Records In ODIs 2023

IND vs WI: India bring in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jaydev Unadkat for the last game, Hardik Pandya To Lead

Coming to the final game of the series, India made two changes to the team. Axar Patel, who played the second ODI, was dropped from the team, and in his place, Ruturaj Gaikwad was drafted into the team.

In the bowling department, Umran Malik, who was expensive in the first two games, was left out and Jaydev Unadkat was given an opportunity.

Here’s the Indian XI for the third ODI against West Indies:

Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar

Also Read: IND vs WI: India T20I Squad For West Indies