Hardik Pandya's 'okay to be unique' statement takes internet by storm after loss to WI

India faced West Indies in the second T20I, and initially, they seemed in control when Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh picked early wickets, leaving the hosts three down within four overs. However, Nicholas Pooran's aggressive batting brought West Indies back into the game. Mukesh Kumar's crucial dismissal of Pooran and Yuzvendra Chahal's two wickets in one over put India on top again. But a strange decision from captain Hardik saw India lose by two wickets, reaching a seven-year low against West Indies.

3 things you need to know

• West Indies handed India a 2-wicket defeat in the 2nd T20I
• India had never lost two consecutive T20Is against West Indies
• Under the captaincy of Hardik, India managed to concede the record

Also Read: 'If Am Being Honest...': Hardik Pandya Pinpoints Exact Reason Behind India's Shortcomings

Netizens troll Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya chose not to bowl out Yuzvendra Chahal and handed the ball to Mukesh Kumar and Arshdeep Singh in the 18th and the 19th overs respectively. It seemed Hardik wanted to keep Chahal for the last over. West Indies capitalized on this opportunity, smashing boundaries and a six to seal the win with seven balls to spare. This loss marked the first time India lost two consecutive T20Is against West Indies in a bilateral series. Earlier, India lost the first T20I by 4 runs. 

Fans criticized Hardik for his captaincy and recalled his earlier remark about being unique. During the 3rd ODI match on the same tour, Hardik was reminded about India's record of not losing an ODI series against the West Indies for the past several years. Hardik, who was captaining in absence of Rohit Sharma, had replied 'It's okay to be unique." This defeat raised concerns for the Indian team ahead of future matches.

When mom asks 'tere sare friends pass ho gaye, tu kaise fail ho gaya' and you reply 'it's okay to be unique' pic.twitter.com/kSU3L8ZH1D

— SwatKat💃 (@swatic12) August 7, 2023

It Okay To Be Unique pic.twitter.com/7DMmUNBZOb

— Cricket With Me #Aavade (CWM) (@Cricketwithme15) August 7, 2023

Harddick Panda :- It's Okay to be unique..

1st of all WI cricket provide me some class facilities then we will win otherwise we will continue losing like this.. #CricketTwitter #INDvsWI https://t.co/A6n6eRO5nr

— Gautam Pandey🕉🇮🇳 (@Im_GautamPandey) August 7, 2023

For Hardik Pandya - its okay to be Unique https://t.co/d5GIc4AGas pic.twitter.com/mX4U3cqNYD

— King Kohli 🇮🇳 (@King_18_Kohli_) August 6, 2023

Also Read: 'We Have Been Losing': West Indies Batter's Bold Claim After Handing Defeat To India

The third T20I of the five-match series is scheduled to be held at the same venue in Guyana on August 8. India will have to win the match in order to remain alive in the contest. 

Image: AP