Ind vs WI 3rd T20I: Fans slam captain Hardik Panda for ‘selfish act’ to deny Tilak Varma a fifty

India finally managed to win the third T20I of the five-match series against hosts West Indies on Tuesday.

India rode on blistering half centuries by Suryakumar Yadav (83, 44b, 10x4, 4x6) and brisk knock by Tilak Verma (49 no, 37b, 4x4, 1x6) to romp home.

However, fans were left fuming at the end of the massive win as they targeted captain Hardik Pandya for his ‘pathetic and shameless’ act to deny youngster Tilak a well-deserved second consecutive half century in the series.

When Tilak had reached 49 no in the fourth ball of the 18th over with a single and India requiring two runs to win the match, it was expected that either Hardik would play out the over or hand Tilak star the strike with a single.

However, Hardik smacked the slower delivery from West Indies captain Rovman Powell for a massive six. The shot completed India’s chase, but it left Tilak unbeaten on 49. Fans fumed on social media at the Indian captain for his ‘selfish act’.

Reacting to Hardik’s six, a fan wrote, “Never seen a SELFISH Player like Hardik Pandya, Tilak was batting at 49 in his third game & Hardik finished the match with the six, this is how the LEADER should be?” a fan wrote.

Never seen a SELFISH Player like Hardik Pandya, Tilak was batting at 49 in hisa third game & Hardik finished the match with the six,this is how the LEADER should be?

Pathetic! pic.twitter.com/CoTJTSU6fy

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) August 8, 2023

“Hardik pandya is the most selfish captain india has ever had, came to bat ahead of Sanju samson when chase was easy and at the end couldn’t let young Tilak verma score a fifty,” tweeted another fan.

Hardik pandya is the most selfish captain india has ever had, came to bat ahead of Sanju samson when chase was easy and at the end couldn't let young Tilak verma score a fifty. #INDvWI

— 𝚁𝚊𝚏𝚊𝚣 (@RafazTweets) August 8, 2023

“Hardik Pandya Warra Fraud, First Came Before Samson To Steal Credit In A Easy Game And Also Ate Tilak’s Fifty , You Aren’t A Captaincy Material But A Credit Stealer And A Selfish Smuggler,” commented a third user.

Hardik Pandya Warra Fraud 😡😡🤬🤬🤬, First Came Before Samson To Steal Credit In A Easy Game And Also Ate Tilak's Fifty , You Aren't A Captaincy Material But A Credit Stealer And A Selfish Smuggler

— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28) August 8, 2023