'We don't need a number 8 if...' Hardik Pandya's bold statement after 3rd T20I win

India captain Hardik Pandya scored 20 off 15 deliveries to finish the game against West Indies in the 3rd T20I.

The magical partnership between Suryakuamar Yadav and Tilak Varma brought India back into the series after two back-to-back defeats in the first two T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering knock of 83 runs in 44 balls helped India chase down 160 runs target easily against West Indies in the 3rd T20 International. Batting first, West Indies had a decent batting performance against Indian bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav was the only bowler who controlled West Indian batter with his spell of 3/28, otherwise, the score could have gone 15-20 runs more. Rovman Powell with his 40 runs knock in 19 balls took West Indies over 150 after Kuldeep brought India back with his spell. After early wickets, Surya and Tilak (49) controlled India’s chase and won the game for India by 7 wickets. 

‘We don’t need a number 8’ – Hardik Pandya

Indian captain Hardik Pandya was joyous after India’s first win in the T20I series. A lot of question marks were put on team India’s approach after two back-to-back close defeats. Captain Hardik Pandya said, “Very important win, We spoke about that fact, that these games will be very important. We had to back ourselves. Two losses or two wins do not change things. We have a long-term plan and it was important, we showed our character.”

India still lack a formidable lower order and doesn’t bat deep like most of the team in this format, talking about not having a solid number 8 Hardik Pandya 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 you don’t need anyone at Number 8.”

Powell thinks WI were 10-15 short

Kuldeep Yadav with his spin bowling made West Indies batters struggle in the middle overs. He picked two wickets in his final over that curtailed West Indies close to 160, otherwise, the score could have gone 15-20 more. Rovman Powell accepted this fact and said, “We were 10-15 runs short, but having said that credit to the batting unit especially opening partnership that’s the kind of start that we have asked for. We lost our way in the middle.” West Indies made a few changes in their batting order, Powell expressed that they wanted to try out Charles in number 3 over Nicolas Pooran. He expressed his disappointment with the team’s bowling and said, “We bowled too much pace on the ball, and that made it easy for Indian batters.” 

Surya praises his partner Tilak Varma

Suryakumar Yadav was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 83 runs. Surya played a magnificent knock to bring India back in the series and said, “It was really important to be myself when I went in to bat in the power play. That’s what the team management also wanted. The team wanted me to bat as much as possible.”

Team India were two down inside power play and once again the West Indian bowlers were taking control of the game. Surya along with Tilak Varma (49) added match-winning 87 runs. Talking about Tilak, Surya said, “We have batted for a long time now, we both understand how each other bats, and the way he batted, gave me a lot of confidence.” Surya and Tilak both play for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. 

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