Indian National Cricket Team all-rounder Hardik Pandya did not have his desired performance with bat and ball in the second T20I against South African National Cricket Team. The second match of the four-match series between the teams took place at ST George’s Park in Gkeberha.
Hardik Pandya struggled to get going with the bat as South African National Cricket Team bowlers bowled hard lines and lengths. The all-rounder failed to time the ball and lead his team to a big total as he played one of his slowest shots in T20I cricket.
Hardik Pandya could not get the support he wanted from the opposite side
Hardik Pandya came into the fray at No.6 and failed to get the desired support from the other side. However, the all-rounder was expected to lead his team to a fighting total like in the past. However, it was not to be, as he batted at a poor strike rate, which became a massive talking point.
Hardik Pandya failed to score freely in the last two overs. What caught the attention of many was that he didn’t allow sixes to Arshdeep Singh to get hit and denied singles as well. He was sure to run, but he couldn’t because the move backfired.
Hardik Pandya’s message to Arshdeep Singh backfires
It was Hardik Pandya’s comment on Arshdeep Singh that caught the attention of many. After the left-arm pacer took a single in the second ball of the 19th over, the all-rounder was caught saying, “Now enjoy the other side.”
However, his comment backfired even after playing the remaining 10 balls of the innings. He scored just six runs in the last 10 balls without just one boundary and was dropped twice in the final over. India added just nine runs to their score in the last two innings.
India lose the second T20I against South Africa by 3 wickets
India didn’t start well with the bat as they lost Sanju Samson for a duck and after that Abhishek Sharma was back in the four man hut. Things got worse when skipper Suryakumar Yadav lost a four.
With the team reeling at 15 for three, Tilak Varma (20) and Axar Patel (27) stitched 30 runs to bring the team back into the game. But South Africa continued to attack the wickets regularly. Hardik Pandya (39*) batted till the end but could not score freely as India finished on 124/6.
South Africa looked clueless with the bat from the start as they continued to lose wickets regularly. Reeza Hendricks (24) kept his team in the hunt but Varun Chakravarty brought his team back into the game.
The mystery spinner picked a scamper to swing the game in India’s favour. However, there was another twist in the tale as Gerald Coetzee (19*) came out all guns blazing to take the game away from India when Tristan Stubbs (47*) caught one end. The duo added 42 runs off just 20 balls to take their team home and win the game by three wickets.
Also read:‘You don’t want to get 125 or 140’: Suryakumar Yadav indirectly attacks Hardik Pandya
