New Delhi: Hardik Pandya, Team India skipper for the Twenty20 series in the Caribbean faced a lot of ire & ridicule from cricket fans despite the visitors walking away with easy victory in the third T20 clash against West Indies.
Pandya found himself at the receiving end of fans for ‘thwarting’ fellow cricketer Tilak Verma’s half century in the Twenty20 clash.
Pandya finished the match in style with a six but this earned more backlash than praise on social media, the reason is – he spoiled Tilak Verma’s half-century. Latter was on verge of completing his second T20 half-century and needed just a few hits to reach half-ton. But, inspite of giving his partner Tilak Verma a chance for winning shot, he himself hit a six and brought victory to Indian side.
Though, a few fans praised Pandya for scintillating finish, many berated the cricketer for acting ‘selfish’ and not in team’s interests.
Many said on Twitter that Pandya, at the batting end didn’t bother to share the ‘winning moment’ with fellow teammate Tilak and make it take away limelight, like his predecessors including MS Dhoni. Some said that the talented youngster was denied his limelight in the match because of Pandya’s sixer.
There are certain things which can’t be taught. #SanjuSamson #HardikPandya #selfish #pandyaselfish pic.twitter.com/63ufvvNrNM
— Achyuth Vimal (@achyuthvimal) August 8, 2023
A meme fest began soon after India’s victory in the 3rd T20 as cricket fans across the zone poked fun at Pandya for trying to imitate Dhoni but lacking a big heart like latter.
Most hated 6 by #HardikPandya #INDvsWI #TilakVarma #BCCI pic.twitter.com/U7WVQrN4xC
— Lexicopedia (@lexicopedia1) August 8, 2023
Ab na waisa emotion raha cricket mein aur na waisi sportsmanship.
After what Hardik Pandya did with Tilak Varma everyone started missing this beautiful moment between MSD and Virat🤝#HardikPandya #TilakVarma #INDvWI #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/jwCbwI0rOd— Bruce Wayne (@GothamSaviourMe) August 8, 2023
“The only time where we expected Hardik to do a Dhoni, he chose to be unique” quipped a user, while another user dubbed it “the worst six ever”.
India won the third T20 match against West Indies by 7 wickets. Currently, the Indies are leading by 2-1 in the five-match series.
