Hardik Pandya, the present captain of the Indian T20 team, took full accountability without offering excuses as India faced defeat in the T20I series decider against the West Indies on August 13.
In the match, Pandya came to bat during the 11th over of the initial innings and scored 14 runs off 18 balls, which negatively impacted India’s momentum. While former cricketers and fans could have dealt with the loss, the captain’s peculiar post-match comments greatly annoyed them.
Hardik Pandya exclusively made a statement: “Sometimes losing is good because it teaches you a lot of things. It does not cover up the messes that you make. It is what I feel at that moment. I don’t plan much for it. If I see the situation and believe that is the better option, I generally prefer that. It’s not rocket science; it’s just whatever my gut says at that time.”
Here are the 3 most debated remarks by Hardik Pandya:
#1. Misusing the Word ‘Process’
After a recent series loss against the West Indies, Hardik Pandya faced criticism for emphasizing the “process” rather than addressing the bilateral results. Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad took to Twitter to blast Pandya’s “silly and casual statements.”
He pointed out that Pandya’s use of the term ‘process’ was reminiscent of MS Dhoni’s usage, but unlike Dhoni’s consistent selection strategy, the current team lacked coherence in selection. Prasad criticized Pandya for misusing such terms, which led to a lack of accountability and a decline in performance.
#2. Overconfidence in India’s Talent Pool
During a 2021 press conference amid a white-ball series against Sri Lanka, Pandya confidently claimed that India could form two more teams from the pool of talented players nurtured through the IPL and domestic cricket.
He believed both these teams would be strong enough to win any competition worldwide. However, Pandya’s assertion became a target for criticism after India’s lacklustre performances in ICC events and bilateral series. Fans mocked his overconfidence on social media, while cricket pundits deemed his statement unnecessary and exaggerated.
#3. Controversial Remarks on Koffee with Karan
In 2019, during an appearance on the talk show “Koffee with Karan,” Pandya found himself in hot water for making sexist, misogynistic, and racist comments about women. He openly discussed his sex life and made inappropriate remarks about his personal experiences.
Pandya’s casual attitude toward such sensitive topics led to severe backlash from fans and social media users. The extent of the criticism was so intense that the episode was removed from the online streaming platform, Hotstar, by the broadcaster, Star TV.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also suspended Pandya and KL Rahul, asking them to return from the Australian tour, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the public’s disapproval. Hardik Pandya’s controversial statements have repeatedly drawn sharp criticism from fans, experts, and former cricketers alike.
Whether misusing terms like ‘process,’ displaying overconfidence in India’s talent pool, or making inappropriate comments on a public platform, Pandya’s words have often sparked controversies that overshadowed his cricketing performances. Hope with time, he learns to use words in a better way that won’t spark any controversies.
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