Hardik Pandya's India captaincy in question after successive defeats

Hardik Pandya’s captaincy has come under criticism following India’s successive defeats to West Indies in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

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West Indies won the series opener by four runs in Tarouba. The hosts clinched a two-wicket win in the following game in Guyana.

India were on course for a series-levelling win despite the hosts requiring 23 to win off 24 balls with four overs left and two wickets to spare.

Captain Hardik Pandya made a perplexing decision to use other bowlers instead of spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who was bowling brilliantly.

The all-rounder brought pacer Mukesh Kumar into the attack for the 17th over. He bowled a tight over and conceded three runs.

The fans expected Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl the 18th over, but it was not the case as Arshdeep Singh bowled it. It proved to be a costly mistake as West Indies scored nine runs from it.

As Windies needed run-a-ball 12 to win, Hardik Pandya continued with Mukesh Kumar. It took five deliveries for the hosts to complete the run chase.

The defeat did not sit well with India fans, who lambasted Hardik Pandya for his captaincy. Here’s what they said.

When Chahal was bowling well, Hardik Pandya stopped him and brought Mukesh Kumar.

This guy came to replace Rohit Sharma and lost back to back matches against West Indies. 🫣🫣 pic.twitter.com/zpAQWCPSRG

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) August 6, 2023

I don’t blame Mukesh
I blame Hardik Pandya for not giving to chahal one more over.

This Chapri cannot be the captain of team India pic.twitter.com/Wq6fNM4k8u

— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) August 6, 2023

Hardik Pandya didn’t give an over to Chahal after this over. Unreal choke. #WIvsIND pic.twitter.com/fSmfoLD8cB

— M (@anngrypakiistan) August 6, 2023

Yuzi chahal in 16th Over 2 wickets one run and a runout.
And guess what Hardik Pandya didn’t give him the next over.
Hardik pandya the captain for you pic.twitter.com/uGV7u4ENRM

— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 6, 2023

Hardik Pandya: “I was saving Yuzvendra Chahal’s 1 over for the Super Over”.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 6, 2023

Chahal ka last over abhi bhi raka hua hai agle match me karwaye ga …
What a captain Hardik Pandya is 💜#INDvsWI #BCCI #HardikPandya

1 MONTH TO JAWAN HURRICANE
WE LOVE YOU ELVISH
ABHISHEK FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/54eajeBVLR

— AD. ✨ (@Next_ICC_Trophy) August 7, 2023

West Indies will be eyeing a series win over India in the third T20I on August 8 in Guyana. The fourth and fifth fixtures will be played on August 12 and 13 respectively.