Hardik Pandya Calls for More Responsibility from Batting Unit as India Levels T20I Series Against West Indies

In a spectacular turn of events, India stormed back into contention in the five-match T20I series against West Indies, levelling it 2-2 with a convincing nine-wicket victory. The triumph left Indian captain Hardik Pandya satisfied but also emphasized the need for the batting unit to shoulder greater responsibility in supporting the bowlers in the upcoming matches.

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal guide India to a comfortable victory

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal took centre stage with impressive half-centuries, showcasing their immense potential and adding vibrancy to India’s batting lineup. Their performances played a pivotal role in India’s resurgence, transforming the series dynamics after being down 0-2. 

For Hardik Pandya, however, this win marks just the beginning, as he urged the batting lineup to be prepared for more significant challenges that lie ahead. 

“Gill and Jaiswal were brilliant. There is no doubt over their skillset. They just needed to spend some time between the wickets,” Pandya shared his thoughts post the match. 

Pandya elated with the team’s effort 

Looking ahead, Pandya expressed his strong belief in the significance of the batting unit taking on greater responsibilities to support the bowlers. “Going forward we have to take more responsibility as a batting group and support the bowlers. I’ve always believed bowlers win matches,” he stated with conviction. 

Reflecting on the team’s efforts, Pandya’s elation was evident. “We lost two games but in the first game, it was our own errors. We were cruising and in the last four overs, we slipped. We spoke about how these kinds of games show our character. The boys took it (defeats) in their stride. The two games (after the first two defeats) we played reflected that we pulled up our socks and played some good cricket,” he elaborated. 

Jaiswal extends gratitude to Hardik after scoring maiden T20 International Fifty

Among the standout performers was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who notched an unbeaten 84 off 51 deliveries and was deservedly named the Man of the Match. His remarkable inning was a testament to his adaptability and determination to play for the team’s needs. 

“I just try to play how the team needs and how I can express myself. I think of how quickly I can score and how many runs I can get in the power play. Of course, reading the wicket and the situation (matters), but my intent is always to score runs,” expressed Jaiswal, reflecting on his approach. 

The left-hander also extended gratitude to Hardik Pandya and the support staff for their impactful guidance and unwavering support, which contributed to his remarkable performance. 

On the opposing side, West Indies captain Rovman Powell acknowledged the need for his team’s batters to adhere to their game plans and approach India’s spinners with greater precision. “We didn’t stick to our plans. We always knew this series would come down to how we play against spinners (of India),” Powell remarked.

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