'2 Losses Or 2 Wins Doesn't Change...': Hardik Pandya Reacts As India Beat West Indies In 3rd T20I

IND vs WI 3rd T20I: Reacting to team India's comfortable win over West Indies in the 'do-or-die' match, skipper Hardik Pandya asserted that long-term plans remain the same despite the win.

Team India's top-order failed to get going in first two T20Is, resulting in rare back-to-back losses.

Source : @BCCI / Twitter

The visiting Indian cricket team pulled one back after losing first two T20 International matches in the five-match T20 series after attaining a confidence-boosting seven-wicket win over West Indies at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Tuesday (August 8). Chasing a competitive target of 160 runs in the 'do-or-die' match, Suryakumar Yadav played a match-defining 83-run innings off just 44 balls with help of 10 fours and four sixes. He was supported well by Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten on 49. Hardik Pandya hit a six for the winning runs to cruise Men in Blue with 13 balls remaining.

Reacting to his team's comfortable victory in the must-win match, skipper Hardik Pandya asserted that long-term plans remain the same despite the win.

"Very important (to win)," India captain Hardik Pandya said at IND vs WI 3rd T20I post-match presentation.

"We spoke as a group that these three games will be exciting. Two losses or two wins does not change the long-term plans. We have to show we are ready when it comes to such (must-win) games."

Team India haven't won an ICC trophy since 2011 and the current young squad led by Hardik Pandya, in absence of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, is auditioning for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies. 

Team India's top-order failed to get going in first two T20Is, resulting in rare back-to-back losses.

On team management's decision to play seven batters, Hardik said:"As a group, we have decided to bat with seven batters and we have to take responsibility, like it happened today if the batters score runs then you don't need someone at number eight."

India are now 1-2 in the five-match T20 International series and will aim to keep the winning momentum going when they go up against West Indies in IND vs WI 4th T20I on Saturday (August 12) in Florida.