India lost the decider T20I match on the West Indies tour in 2023. with 2-2 victories each, both India and West Indies had the final encounter at Central Broward Regional Park Where West Indies won the match with eight wickets in hand.
Hardik Pandya takes blame for India’s defeat
Hardik Pandya takes responsibility for India’s defeat in the 5th T20I match. It takes courage to admit fault and the Indian Skipper had done that after the loss on Sunday.
India won the toss and chose to bat in the decider T20I where India scored 165 runs. Chasing the target, West Indies had 12 balls to spare and 8 wickets in hand as they succeeded in their mission.
Indian Hardik Pandya admitted that his lack of rhythm and slow approach became the main reason for his team losing momentum in the back-10 overs.
The Indian team lost its Bilateral series in the Shortest format 3-2 against West Indies but the arrival of young players like Tilak Varma and the Indian side has positives on the future of the team.
“We lost the momentum when I came in and couldn’t capitalize on the situation. I believe we gonna challenge ourselves. We try to get better. In hindsight, it is fine.
We don’t need to explain much. I know how the boys are within the group. We have enough time to figure it out. Losing is good at times,” he said in the post-match media conference.
“If you see, we lost that period post 10 overs. Since when I came, I wasn’t able to capitalize and I took my time and could not finish,” Pandya explained.
“I believe that as a group we have to challenge ourselves. All these games are the games where we have to learn. We have spoken as a group that whenever we can take the hard way we will.
“In hindsight, one series here or there doesn’t matter but the commitment to the goal is important.” Pandya knows that India will play World T20 in this part of the world but doesn’t want to look too far ahead.
“It’s a long way. We have the ODI World Cup coming up. And sometimes losing is good. You get to learn a lot. And a special mention for all the boys. They showed great character.
Winning and losing is a part of the process and we are going to make sure we learn from that.” Some of his bowling changes were called out by critics but he said that he goes by his instincts.
“It is what I feel at the moment, I don’t plan much. If I see a situation, whatever my gut says I follow, ” Pandya said.
Despite their loss, Hardik Pandya praised Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal for their valiant effort in the game.
“They’ve got heart. That is something that’s very important in international cricket. Every youngster coming through has belief. That’s something I see very often now. Kudos to them, they came out and took responsibility. I can’t be happier as a captain,” Hardik Pandya concluded.
