‘Losing is good sometimes….in hindsight, one series doesn’t matter’: Hardik Pandya after WI collection loss

With a five-match collection there for the taking, West Indies prevailed within the remaining T20I on Sunday by eight wickets. With India having set a goal of 166 for the Windies in Lauderhill, Florida, Brandon King (85*) would wrap up the sport with a six and 12 balls to spare.

This was a primary collection loss for India since July 2021, after they misplaced the three-match collection in Sri Lanka. Skipper Hardik Pandya, who has lead the aspect because the T20 World Cup final yr and misplaced his first collection as captain, acknowledged post-match, “Losing is good sometimes. It teaches you a lot of things.”

Mulling over the defeat within the fifth T20I and the collection, Pandya added, “If you see, we lost that period post ten overs. Since when I came, I wasn’t able to capitalize and I took my time and could not finish. (On decision to bat first) 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.”

When requested of the T20 World Cup subsequent yr within the Caribbean and USA, Pandya added, “It’s a long way. We have the ODI World Cup coming up. 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.”

While the West Indies had launched spin into assault from the get go as Akeal Hosein bowled three overs on a trot within the powerplay, India would solely introduce Kuldeep Yadav after the fourth over with 44 runs already on the scoreboard. Axar Patel was launched as late because the fifteenth over.

“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 would say of his modifications.

The Indian skipper would additionally commend the likes of Tilak Varma, Mukesh Kumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made their debuts for India within the ongoing collection.

“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,” Pandya concluded.