India vs West Indies 2nd T20I: A series-leveling win looked all but certain for team India despite West Indies needing 23 runs of the final 24 balls but a bizarre move from captain Hardik Pandya saw the visitors lose the game by two wickets. For the first time in 12 years, India lost two international matches in a row against West Indies. West Indies had never won back to back T20s against India in last 7 years before today’s win.
West Indies were 24 runs away from making it 2-0 with four overs left and two wickets remaining. However, India still were favorites to win the contest as they had another over of in-form Yuzvendra Chahal left.
Mukesh bowled the 17th over, Chahal was expected to bowl the final over of his spell in the 18th but Hardik made an unexpected move, leaving everyone confused as he handed the ball to Arshdeep Singh and then to Mukesh. Hard-hitter Akeal Hosein hit a four each of the two pacers while Alzarri Joseph hit a six off Mukesh to help West Indies clinch a two-wicket victory.
Fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) blasted Pandya for his bizarre captaincy. Check below some viral reactions...
Hardik however blamed India's batting performance for the loss in 2nd T20I. "If am being honest that was a not a pleasing batting performance, we could have batted better. 160+ or 170 would have been a good total," he said after the match. IND vs WI 3rd T20I will be played on Tueday at the same venue.