Mon Nov 11 08:37:10 UTC 2024: ## India’s Hardik Pandya Criticized for “Refusing” Singles in T20 Loss to South Africa
Former India player RP Singh has slammed all-rounder Hardik Pandya for his reluctance to take singles during India’s second T20I loss to South Africa. The Men in Blue, despite a five-wicket haul from Varun Chakravarthy, ultimately fell to a three-wicket defeat, leveling the four-match series at 1-1.
India posted a modest 124/6 after being asked to bat first. The innings lacked momentum, with Sanju Samson, who scored a century in the previous game, dismissed for a duck. Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 39 off 45 balls offered some respectability to the total, but Singh was critical of his approach.
“The score should have been higher, but Hardik refused to take singles,” Singh said on JioCinema. “You have to trust tailenders as they can also contribute. With India struggling with the bat, the addition of a few more runs would have been great.”
Singh highlighted an instance where Hardik declined to take a single with Arshdeep Singh at the other end, despite Arshdeep already having hit a six. “When there are not many balls left, you have to make every scoring opportunity count. I think Hardik missed a chance over here,” Singh stated.
Despite the low score, India almost pulled off a victory, thanks to Varun’s impressive bowling performance. However, a crucial partnership between Tristan Stubbs (47 not out) and Gerald Coetzee (19 not out) saw South Africa home.
The third T20I between India and South Africa is scheduled for November 13.
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