T20I skipper Hardik Pandya's winning run came to an end as India lost the final and fifth T20I to the West Indies by 8-wickets and in turn the series, 3-2. The all-rounder lost his first series in T20Is as Romario Shepherd and Brandon King inspired the hosts to a brillaint win at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground. (More Cricket news)
Pandya's side had bounced back from 0-2 down in the series to level the series 2-2 going into the final match in Florida. However, the Indian batters apart from Suryakumar Yadav, failed to put on a show as West Indies registered an all-important win. Pandya's call to bat first after winning the toss seems to have backfired as India went on to post a below-par total in the 20-over match.
"If you see, we lost that period post 10 overs. Since when I came, I wasn't able to capitalise and I took my time and could not finish," said Pandya, who scored 14 off 18 balls in the T20I series decider. The Indian middle-order also struggled to score runs in the series decider. I believe that as a group we have to challenge ourselves. All these games are the games where we have to learn. We have spoken as a group that whenever we can take the hard way we will. In hindsight, one series here or there doesn't matter but the commitment to the goal is important.”
Despite the batters failing around him, India's star T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav scored a superb half-century whereas Tilak Varma also shone with the bat. Surya's blistering 61 off 45 balls helped India post 165/9 in 20 overs.
"It's a long way. We have the ODI World Cup coming up. And sometimes losing is good. You get to learn a lot. And special mention for all the boys. They showed great character. Winning and losing is a part of the process and we are going to make sure we learn from that," Pandya added.
Hardik's bowling changes also were questionable as critics felt that he goes by his instincts.
"It is what I feel at the moment, I don't plan much. If I see a situation, whatever my gut says I follow, " Pandya said. Pandya praised Varma and Jaiswal for their lion-hearted effort.
"They've got heart. That is something that's very important in international cricket. Every youngster coming through has belief. That's something I see very often now. Kudos to them, they came out and took responsibility. I can't be happier as a captain," he concluded.
(With PTI input)
