Hardik Pandya blames Indian batsmen for losing second ODI against West Indies

Hardik Pandya captained India in the second ODI vs West Indies while regular captain Rohit Sharma was rested.

Wounded West Indies have defeated Team India in the second ODI convincingly by 6 wickets. This win will bring a lot of joy to West Indies fans as they needed a spirited performance to fight back after missing out on the World Cup slot. With a controlled bowling performance against team India who are in experimental mode, West Indies decimated the hot favourites of the upcoming World Cup 2023. Keacy Carty made a stamp of authority when he hit the winning runs against India's stand-in captain Hardik Pandya. 

Captain blames batters for the loss

After a good solid opening stand of 90 runs, Team India lost all 10 wickets for next 91 runs. Indian captain Hardik Pandya blamed the batters for not showing spirit and said, “We didn’t bat the way we were supposed to. The wicket was better than it was in the first game. Everyone barring Shubman hit fielders and got out. Disappointing but there are many things to learn”.

Team India were bundled out on just 181 runs after being invited to bat first. Wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan (55) once again scored a fifty in the series. Apart from Kishan and Shubman Gill (34), nobody could go on to play big. 

'I am a turtle, not a rabbit'

Hardik Pandya took the role of strike bowler in both ODIs and went in to bowl the first over of the innings. He bowled 3 overs in the first ODI and 7 in the second ODI. Talking about his fitness and bowling, Hardik said, “Body’s fine, I have to bowl more overs and get my workload up for the World Cup. I am a turtle right now, not a rabbit. Hoping everything goes right as the World Cup comes on”. Hardik’s role as a bowler will be the most important one for team India during Asia Cup as well as in the big World Cup in October - November. 

Team India look in experiment mode, in the first ODI captain Rohit Sharma came in to bat at number 7 in a low-scoring chase while Virat Kohli didn’t get the opportunity. In the second ODI both the senior players were rested for the game. Missing their presence, the Indian batting lineup succumbed to West Indies bowlers. Chasing 182, West Indies captain Shai Hope (63) and Keacy Carty (48) stitched a strong 5th wicket partnership to get the team against India and equal the series 1-1. The final ODI of the series will be played on Tuesday at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad.