WATCH: Old video of MS Dhoni’s gesture towards Virat Kohli gains traction following Hardik Pandya’s denial of Tilak Varma’s opportunity to reach 50

Hardik Pandya-led India secured a stunning victory against West Indies in the 3rd T20I match of a five-game series, winning by seven wickets. This triumph will undoubtedly boost the confidence of Team India, who suffered defeats in the first two games. However, even after their victory on Tuesday (August 08), Hardik continued to face criticism from certain Indian Cricket Team fans who labeled him a ‘selfish captain’ and brought up comparisons with MS Dhoni.

In the 18th over of the India’s innings, Men in Blue required six runs from 18 balls. In the first four balls of the over, Pandya and Tilak Varma accumulated singles to reduce the target. In the final ball of the over, when only two runs were needed from 14 balls, Pandya opted not to take a single and instead hammered a six over long-off to secure India’s first victory of the 20-over series.

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Although India emerged victorious, some fans believed the Indian skipper should have taken a single, allowing Varma the opportunity to score his half-century.

Fans resurfaced an old video of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

Fans brought up a similar incident from the 2014 T20 World Cup’s second semifinal, where Dhoni deliberately defended the last ball of the 19th over to allow Virat Kohli to hit the winning runs against South Africa. Kohli wrapped up the game with a boundary from Dale Steyn in the 20th over, remaining unbeaten on 72 off 44 balls. Dhoni’s selfless gesture towards his young teammate was praised by cricket enthusiasts at the time.

Here’s the video:

Best captain Hardik or Dhoni comments #hardik #MSDhoni #Dhoni #ViratKohli #INDvsWI #TilakVarma #sky pic.twitter.com/RQDPIeBynk

— Being Lover (@BeingLover40323) August 8, 2023

It’s not like #HardikPandya is wrong
It’s just that #MSDhoni is too special ❤️
It’s not easy to be like a Legend pic.twitter.com/E7Knv9r1NG

— Anant Ladha, CFA CA CFP LL.B. (@anantladha25) August 9, 2023

Speaking about the ongoing series, India and West Indies are headed to the USA for the final two T20Is. The series currently stands at 2-1 in favour of West Indies. The fourth T20I is scheduled for Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday, August 12, followed by the final game at the same venue the next day.

Last year, India comprehensively defeated West Indies in the two T20Is played at Lauderhill, Florida, clinching the five-match series 4-1.

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