The Indian team management persisted with their decision to give youngsters and fringe players another opportunity in the third ODI against the West Indies, on Tuesday, while resting both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Hardik Pandya came out to lead Team India in the series-deciding third ODI at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, in Trinidad on Tuesday.
India had suffered a shocking loss in the second ODI in Barbados, by 6 wickets, which allowed the West Indies to make a comeback in the series and level the series, forcing it into the decider.
Fans had expected that India will play their best XI in the series-decider and both Rohit and Kohli will be back. However, the Rahul Dravid-led management continued to bench both the senior batters, giving an opportunity to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who isn’t part of the ODI plans as far as the World Cup is concerned because Gaikwad will be leading India in the Asian Games at the same time the World Cup will start.
Jaydev Unadkat and Gaikwad came in the side for the 3rd ODI, replacing Umran Malik and the in-form Axar Patel.
Hardik Pandya was reminded at the toss that India have not lost a bilateral ODI series to West Indies since 2006, winning 12 straight ODI series against the West Indies. If India lost today, Pandya will have the ignominy of being the Indian skipper under whom this streak was broken.
Hardik Pandya gave a hilarious reply to prospect of India losing
The host at the toss said: “India haven’t lost a single bilateral series in more than a decade against West Indies. You don’t want to be that captain to break the trend?”
Hardik Pandya: “It’s okay to be unique.”
This cheeky reply from Hardik Pandya was met with plenty of trolling from the fans:
Pandu it can be okay for you but not for us to lose to a team who ain’t even playing cwc 🤢🤢
— Bateman (@baldaati) August 1, 2023
I don't wish to but I really hope WI win today just to put him in place
— Prateek Nanda (@prateeknanda12) August 1, 2023
In attempt to be cool, he comes up with lines that even he doesn’t understand!
— AK (@rwamit) August 1, 2023
Chapri mindset
— User45 (@140of113) August 1, 2023
"i mean I don't mind losing against my home country tbh"
— Arka (@ARKA0432) August 1, 2023
Being unique to get trolled😂😂
— Dhaman Khokla (@shaunaktrivedii) August 1, 2023
Did he actually say this? Should be sacked immediately if he did. Sad times. Can you even imagine Virat saying something like this? https://t.co/Sd4badKdRC
— Arjun Dev (@arjun19dev) August 1, 2023
Pretty sure isko angrezi aati nahi hai
Hollywood picture dekh ke 10-12 sentence seekhle lie hai unhe chepta rehta hai https://t.co/vvg7CdJjrk— Pricviz (@Pric_viz_) August 1, 2023
L take.. how's this gonna motivate players to put in that extra bit which will land us on the winning side? We are unique, we won trophies earlier now we'll show them we can lose too . https://t.co/l0FFj2Grfe
— darshil 🐣 (@ohyesdarshil) August 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/Vk_is_goat/status/1686364088660807681?s=20
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar
West Indies (Playing XI): Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Keacy Carty, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales
