Two old videos featuring MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have gone viral on social media after Hardik Pandya hit a six to dismiss Tilak Verma for 49 runs in the third T20 against West Indies on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Pandya, who is leading India in the ongoing T20I series in the Caribbean, was criticized by many fans on social media after hitting a six to take India to the finish line in the match played in Guyana
Chasing 160 runs India was 158/3 in the 18th over bowled by Rovman Powell. Verma was batting on 49 but Pandya launched his opposite number over long off for a maximum. In this way, Team India won the match with 2.1 overs remaining. Two videos are going on social media in the wake of Pandya’s decision to score the winning run himself despite his partner being on 49 runs. In one of the videos which are from the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final between India and South Africa, Dhoni is seen defending a ball allowing Kohli, who scored a half-century to score the winning run.
I am not a Dhoni admirer but Kohli was not in his 40s or 90s still he let Kohli to hit winning shot. But Pandya here proved that he was born Chhapri and will always be #chapri #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/I5vh8dav6L pic.twitter.com/Gm3B9YPlSd
— KABIR (@ImSGaraka) August 9, 2023
In the second clip, which is from an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Kohli is seen blocking a delivery so that Chris Gayle can score his hundred.
Everyone's talking about Hardik Pandya & how Dhoni let Virat score final runs –
Here's a throwback video –
When King Kohli ???? defended the ball, just to let Gayle score his maiden ???? in IPL ❤#HardikPandya #SuryakumarYadav#TilakVarma #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/dhfHYkNeDW
— Rajput Shivam Singh???? (@Shivam_singh062) August 9, 2023
Reacting to the video, many Indian cricket fans criticized Pandya for what many called a selfish act.
“We have to show we are ready” – Pandya reflects on comprehensive win
Apart from the debate over the winning runs, India dominated the third T20s against the West Indies. Bowling first they restricted the host to 159/5 before chasing down the target with ease Reflecting on the win, Hardik Pandya said:
“Very important (win). We spoke as a group that these three games will be exciting. Two losses or two wins does not change the long-term plans. We have to show we are ready when it comes to such (must-win) games.”
Regarding the team combination, confirmed that India has decided to go with seven batsmen. The Indian captain commented:
“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 then you don’t need someone at number eight.”
The last two T20 matches of the five-match series will be played on August 12 and 13 in Lauderhill, Florida.
