Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra blasted India captain Hardik Pandya following his baffling call of not allowing Tilak Varma to complete his fifty in the 3rd T20I against the West Indies this week.
Aakash Chopra argued that Hardik Pandya should have allowed Tilak Varma to take the strike because the net run rate was not in the picture. Further, he insisted that the India skipper's decision to hit the ball over the ropes lacked common sense because young players need motivation from seniors and not snubs like Hardik Pandya delivered to Tilak Varma.
“Tilak Varma, outstanding. First Indian to get 30+ scores in his first three international innings. He scored a fifty in his previous games and was close to another this time too, in fact, it should've been a fifty. His temperament is good, his range is good, he was aggressive at first and then was happy to play second-fiddle to Suryakumar,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“Hardik comes to bat, tells him it's important to remain not out, don't get carried away. Then Hardik hits aggressive hits… you don't need NRR, it would've made no difference. He told Tilak to go easy, but tried to hit big shots himself. You needed 2 runs off 13 balls, and he smashed a six. I'm sure they want to build a culture that doesn't care about individual milestones. But even a not out doesn't really matter here, even if you were out there, you still had 12 balls there to score 2 runs. Tilak was denied a chance to score a fifty. That's just my opinion, though,” the former India opener pointed out.
Aakash Chopra's harsh words for Hardik Pandya came after the allrounder became one of the top trends on social media with several Indian cricket admirers hitting out for his “selfish” act.
He was characterized as a “snake” following his bizarre call to smash a six to win the 3rd T20I against the West Indies. Hardik Pandya earned the acronym after he denied his teammate Tilak Varma an opportunity to bring up his second half-century in international cricket.
Hardik Pandya's act was termed pathetic, shameful, and full of selfishness by the netizens who slammed him on social media following India's seven-wicket triumph over the West Indies.
India's victory ensured the series remained alive, given that the hosts had won the previous two games.
However, more than India's win, Hardik Pandya's act became the talking point on the internet as he faced trolls on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Even the legendary MS Dhoni's fans were left scratching their heads after Hardik Pandya denied Tilak Varma a chance to complete his half-century against the West Indies.
Hardik Pandya's move led MS Dhoni supporters to dub him the “clown”, who should never be compared with the former India skipper, considering he was a selfless cricketer.
Also, Hardik Pandya was branded a “chapri” or “chhapri” on social media following his decision to hit a six to win the 3rd T20I for India against the West Indies.
His move left young left-handed batter Tilak Varma stranded at 49*, thus denying him an opportunity to complete a well-deserved fifty in international cricket.
As per a definition in Urban Dictionary, a “chapri” or “chhapri” is described as a “person with no sense of responsibility. Someone who thinks getting trendy haircuts and clothes makes him/her special and attractive and often wastes his/her time on social media without any contribution to society”.
Hardik Pandya has created a fair share of controversies during the ongoing five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
In the previous clash against the Rovman Powell-led side, his call of not bowling Yuzvendra Chahal in the final quarter of the Caribbean team's batting was questioned by many pundits as the Men in Blue lost the match.
After West Indies posted a score of 159/5 in their allotted 20 overs, the Indian cricket team found itself under tremendous pressure at 34/2, having lost both openers by the time Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma joined each other for a grand fightback.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal got out for 1 in his debut game, Shubman Gill's poor run of form continued in the series as he perished for six. After that, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma took the lead, forging an 87-run partnership before the former was sent back to the pavilion by Alzarri Joseph for 83.
After Suryakumar Yadav's departure, Hardik Pandya came out to bat and immediately found his groove in the middle. As the Indian innings proceeded, the Men in Blue required only two runs to register their first win in the five-match series with more than two overs to spare.
With Tilak Varma batting at 49*, everyone thought Hardik Pandya would allow him to reach his half-century. But, the India skipper was in no mood to delay his side's victory as he finished the contest with a six, leaving Tilak Varma stranded on 49.
However, his sixer did not bring joy to the Indian supporters, as they pointed out that by doing so, he denied a young man a half-century in T2OIs.
Others urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to sack him from the leadership of the national team. The fans pleaded that in his place, Suryakumar Yadav should be appointed the skipper in T20Is.
Hardik Pandya, however, was unperturbed by his trolling on social media. Instead, he labeled his team's victory at the Providence Stadium in Guyana “important”.
“Obviously it was very important within the group. I said that it was a very important game that had to be enjoyed. At the end of the day, we have the long-term plan that we have in our mind. And at the same time, it is also our goal to show that we have the plan to do the job here in this point in time,” Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
On being asked if the Indians had a specific plan for former West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran who was responsible for their loss in the last match because of his blistering fifty, the allrounder mentioned that they did have a plan for him.
“Yeah, if Nicky wants to hit, let him hit me, that was the plan. I enjoy that kinda competition where I know I cannot err the line or length a lot. As it gives the advantage to Nicky. In the fourth game, I hope he comes very hard at me and gives me a wicket as well,” he added.
When asked if Indian spinners were part of their tactics against Nicholas Pooran, Hardik Pandya insisted that he wanted to deploy them when he was not at the crease.
“We wanted to use them more with Nicky [Pooran] not coming in. Axar didn't bowl in the last match, but the way he bowled today, I could use Yuzi and Kuldeep later. Mukesh and Arshdeep ended well,” the 29-year-old highlighted.
“Within the group it is important we back ourselves. It is what it is. We don't have someone at 8. But bowlers win you games. If batters scores runs, you don't anyone at 8. The next game will be exciting,” he opined.
Hardik Pandya also shared his views on the match-winning partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who combined for an 87-run stand that gave India a firm footing in the game.
“Surya and Tilak play together and understand the game well. It's good to have Surya in my team. He loves the challenge and I like to have someone like him. With the strike rate he bats, it gives the other batters a chance to learn what he is doing and that also shows his character,” Hardik Pandya concluded.
With the scoreline of the series reading 2-1 in favor of the West Indies, the Indians will look to win the remaining two matches, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Lauderhill in Florida.
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