WATCH: Hardik Pandya gifts signed ball to fangirl for accidentally hitting her during practice ahead of 3rd T20I 

India's T20I captain Hardik Pandya received a flood of criticism from the fans and former cricketers for denying youngster Tilak Varma a half-century in the third T20I against West Indies. However, the all-rounder has now managed to overshadow it with a heartwarming gesture towards a fan after India's seven-wicket victory in Guyana on Tuesday, August 8.

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A win was crucial for Team India to keep the series alive after West Indies won the first two matches of the five-match series. As the Indian camp celebrated, Pandya rushed towards a stand at Providence Stadium immediately after concluding his post-match duties. He was carrying a signed ball, which he gifted to a fan girl in the stands. Pandya's lovely gesture not only sent the fan to cloud nine but also won the hearts of fans on social media.

Watch the video below: 

Hardik Pandya gave a signed ball to a fan in the stands after the 3rd T20i.

A great gesture by Hardik! pic.twitter.com/YiQphPJsgx

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 10, 2023

This came after Pandya accidentally hit the fan on her chin during India's training session ahead of the third T20I. It is learned that the 29-year-old was concerned and urged the Indian Cricket Board medical team to ensure the fan was fine following the incident.

He could have taken a single and given Tilak a strike: Aakash Chopra slams Pandya 

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There was no need for Pandya to rush to seal the game with two overs remaining because Varma was approaching his half-century. The 20-year-old was India's standout batter in the first two matches and his partnership with Suryakumar in the last match was the backbone of India's victory.

The southpaw had a chance to register his second T20I half-century, but Pandya ended the match with a six off the last ball of the 18th over, leaving Varma stranded on 49*. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra was among those who slammed the skipper.

"Hardik comes to bat... now this is interesting. Hardik tells him it's important to remain not out, don't get carried away. Then Hardik plays the big shots himself... you don't need NRR, it would've made no difference. Hadik told Tilak to go easy, but tried to hit big shots himself. You needed 2 runs off 13 balls. He could have taken a single and given Tilak a strike and he smashed a six," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.