On Sunday, India suffered their first T20I series loss to West Indies since 2017 after a crushing defeat in the fifth T20I.
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Batting first, the Men in Blue put up 165 on a slowish Lauderhill wicket. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with 61 as Romario Shepherd took 4/31 for the home side.
In reply, West Indies always had the chase in control, eventually winning with two overs to spare. Opener Brandon King remained not out on 85 while Nicholas Pooran made a brisk 47.
How did Hardik Pandya perform as captain in the 5th T20I?
Indian captain Hardik Pandya came in for some criticism for his decisions, starting from the decision at the toss to bat first after India had done so well chasing in the previous game.
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After Axar Patel took the new ball and bowled his full quota in the previous match, the left-arm spinner bowled just one over, the 15th, on Sunday. Arshdeep Singh also ended up bowling just two overs, both at the top, while Yuzvendra Chahal was given his full quota despite leaking runs in every over.
The ire at Hardik's decisions was only compounded by his own performance. He ate up 18 balls with the bat before being dismissed for just 14, and bowled three wicketless overs for 32 runs.
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'Clueless, confused': Hardik Pandya slammed by commentators
Both during and after the game, Hardik's decisions were questioned by commentators and former players.
Aakash Chopra suggested that his good captaincy record in the IPL was down to Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra and even said some of his decisions looked clueless.
On the English language stream, former Tamil Nadu opener Abhinav Mukund said that Hardik often looked 'confused' in the field.
Abhinav Mukund said:
— 12th Khiladi (@12th_khiladi) August 13, 2023
“ Hardik Pandya looked very confused while doing the captaincy today.”#HardikPandya #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/u9a1AaU4ki
On Twitter after the game, former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticised the team management as a whole, calling out Hardik's captaincy as 'clueless'.
India needs to improve their skillset. Their is a hunger & intensity deficiency & often the captain looked clueless. Bowler’s can’t bat, batsmen can’t bowl.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 13, 2023
It’s important to not look for yes men and be blinded because someone is your favourite player but look at the larger good
What next for Hardik Pandya and Team India?
India will travel to Ireland for a T20I series next, which Hardik will not be a part of. Jasprit Bumrah is set to captain the side. The Asia Cup from 2 September is the next big goal on the horizon for Team India.
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