"Lost Momentum When I Came...": Hardik Pandya Takes Blame For India's 5th T20I Defeat

It takes courage to admit one's fault and India captain Hardik Pandya certainly had that after the team's defeat in the 5th and final T20I against West Indies on Sunday. With the series on the line, after both teams won two games apiece in the first four games, the deciding encounter was won by the hosts. Chasing a target of 166 runs set by the Indians, Windies had 12 balls to spare and 8 wickets in hand as they succeeded in their mission. India captain Hardik admitted that his lack of rhythm and slow approach became a turning point as his team lost momentum during the back-10 overs.

The Indian team under Pandya lost its first bilateral series in the shortest format 2-3 against the West Indies but the skipper harped on the positives, like the emergence of youngsters like Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

"We lost the momentum when I came in and couldn't capitalize on the situation. I believe we gonna challenge ourselves. We try to get better. In hindsight, it is fine. We don't need to explain much. I know how the boys are within the group. We have enough time to figure out. Losing is good at times," he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

"If you see, we lost that period post 10 overs. Since when I came, I wasn't able to capitalise and I took my time and could not finish," Pandya explained.

On a slow track, Pandya defended his decision to bat first.

"I believe that as a group we have to challenge ourselves. All these games are the games where we have to learn. We have spoken as a group that whenever we can take the hard way we will.

"In hindsight, one series here or there doesn't matter but the commitment to the goal is important." Pandya knows that India will play World T20 in this part of the world but doesn't