Indian cricket in disarray on and off the pitch
For the second match in a row, India fell short in a low-scoring game on a difficult pitch against the West Indies.
Hardik Pandya Sport News
"Winning Series Like These...": Ex-India Star's Stern Warning To Hardik Pandya And Co
Team India suffered a narrow defeat to West Indies in the opening game of the five-match T20I series on Thursday. Chasing a target of 150, the visitors suffered a batting collapse and were restricted to 145/9 in 20 overs, courtesy some fine bowling performances from Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. Barring debutant Tilak Varma, who looked set for a big total, rest of the Indian batters failed to impress on a batting-friendly deck. The case in the 2nd T20I was no different. Following the defeats, India captain Hardik Pandya was heavily criticised for his tactics.
Hardik Pandya Reminded Of "Unique" Comment After 'Captaincy Blunder' Cost India 2nd T20I
Team India has been facing severe criticism after the two-wicket defeat against West Indies in the second T20I on Sunday. The most amount of backlash was directed towards skipper Hardik Pandya, who was severely criticised for his poor decision-making. After being restricted to 152/7, the visitors bounced back with the ball as Hardik and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took three and two wickets respectively. However, it was Nicholas Pooran's 67-run knock that guided West Indies to victory in just 18.5 overs.
India's Top-Order Under Pressure In Must-Win Game, Spinners Need To Stop Nicholas Pooran's Attack
India will need to bat with the fearlessness they often talk about as they look to avoid a series defeat in the third T20 International against the West Indies in Guyana on Tuesday. The slow pitches on offer have not been the best for batting but as skipper Hardik Pandya pointed out after the loss on Sunday, India should have a found way to score additional 10-20 runs. India, who last lost to the West Indies in a bilateral T20 series back in 2016, trail 0-2 in the five-match series. The shortest format demands the batters to go hard from ball one and that is something India's top-order, comprising Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, have not been able to do.
"Very Very Ordinary": India Great Rips Into Team, Aims Subtle Dig At Hardik Pandya After 2nd T20I
India skipper Hardik Pandya has been hailed by many for his leadership qualities but the first two T20Is between India and West Indies haven't done his reputation much favour. With the Indian team trailing the 5-match series 0-2, Hardik's captaincy decisions in the 2nd T20I, particularly involving Yuzvendra Chahal, have been subjected to heavy criticism. Former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, a staunch critic of the team, took a subtle dig at the skipper, questioning his reluctance to use Chahal in the death overs on Sunday.
"If I Am Being Honest...": Hardik Pandya Blasts Indian Team's Performance In 2nd T20I
Not pleased with his team's display with the willow, India skipper Hardik Pandya on Sunday said batters have to take more responsibility going forward. India put up another underwhelming batting display as they could manage only 152/7 in the second T20I against the West Indies, which the hosts won by two wickets. The total was only a touch better than the 145/9 they managed in the first game.
Pooran powers West Indies to 2-0 lead over India in T20 series
Nicholas Pooran's 67 off 40 balls helped the West Indies clinch a two-wicket victory over India in the second Twenty20 international in Providence on Sunday (Aug 6) to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
IND vs WI, 2nd T20I: Nicholas Pooran Guides West Indies To 2-0 Lead Over India In Five-Match Series
An explosive half-century by Nicholas Pooran defied a brilliant power-play spell by Indian skipper Hardik Pandya and some brilliant bowling in death overs as the hosts West Indies secured a hard-fought two-wicket win over the Men in Blue in the second T20I of the five-match series at Guyana on Sunday. India trails by 2-0 in the series. In the chase of 152, West Indies was off to a nightmarish start when Hardik Pandya got rid of Brandon King (0) and Johnson Charles (2) in the first over itself. WI was restricted to 2/2 in the first over itself. Suryakumar took a stunner of a catch to dismiss King while Charles was caught by Tilak Varma at cover point.