On 8 August 2023, Hardik Pandya led Team India to a victory in the third game of the ongoing five-match T20I series against West Indies. India chased down a 160-run target in 17.5 overs while Pandya remained not out on 20* runs and Tilak Varma was not out on 49* runs. Before that last ball, India needed just two runs and the skipper was on strike.
So, fans were hoping that Pandya would give Tilak the strike and let him score another fifty in his third T20I. But, on the fifth delivery, Pandya hit a six and finished the game in some style. Seeing that, fans went crazy and slammed Pandya. Now, regarding the same, the former Team India cricketer, Irfan Pathan came up with a tweet to take an indirect dig at the current skipper.
Here is the shared tweet:
Mushkil kaam aap karo, Asaan kaam mein Kar leta hoo. Suna suna Sa lagta hai…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 9, 2023
“We have a long-term plan and it was important we showed our character.” - Hardik Pandya
He wrote: “Mushkil kaam aap karo, Asaan kaam mein Kar leta hoo. Suna suna Sa lagta hai…” It seemed that he has been taunted for not letting Tilak score another fifty. However, some fans also claimed that it was a dig at the former Team India skipper, MS Dhoni. Speaking of the match, India were in trouble after losing two wickets for 34 runs on the board. But, after that, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak put up an 87-run partnership. Finally, Hardik and Tilak finished the game.
After the match, during the post-preference, he said: “Very important. We spoke about that fact, that these games will be very important. We had to back ourselves. Two losses or two wins do not change things. We have a long-term plan and it was important we showed our character.” Regarding the batting efforts from Suryakumar and Tilak, he said: “Brilliant. Both of them play together and they understand each other. I am lucky to have someone like Surya, who likes such challenges. And he wants to take the responsibilities. He sends a lot of confidence within the group.”
Here is how fans have reacted to the tweet:
Well said @IrfanPathan Sir! 😂👏 #selfishpandya
— Deepraj Kale 🚩 (@_deepskale_55_) August 9, 2023
Howzat ki ad bhai tu lafde nahi
— Naks..! (@oyenakss) August 9, 2023
Misbah to Joginder Sharma in T20 wc final.
— ABHISHEK (@OneAbhishekJain) August 9, 2023
Pandya trying to become Dhoni
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_) August 9, 2023
Zimbabwe se fir se khelenge padosi🇮🇳
— Sachin Tripathi (@Sachintrp17) August 9, 2023
Aaj padosiyon ka phone switch off ho gya lag rha hai 🇮🇳
— Sachin Tripathi (@Sachintrp17) August 9, 2023
Kiski baat ho rahi yaha??
— J (@jaankiii_) August 9, 2023
Brutal attack on Hardik Pandya..
— Pratham (@JainnSaab) August 9, 2023
It’s all about Pandya 🤣
— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) August 9, 2023