Fans were dissatisfied when Indian captain Hardik Pandya began post-match handshakes with the final ball still remaining. Despite the fact that India had the smallest chance of winning the match in that situation. During the majority of the second Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka, Hardik Pandya displayed a melancholy expression.
He had valid justifications. Arshdeep Singh, a gun T20I bowler, broke the world record for most front-foot no-balls bowled in a T20I by overstepping five times in two overs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. On Thursday, India gave up seven free hits and bowled four more wides, allowing Sri Lanka to bat first and score 206 for six.
India’s woes were never-ending as they lost four wickets for just 34 runs in just 4.4 overs, including Hardik’s own dismissal for 12. India was at 57 for 5 and needed 150 runs off just 65 balls at almost 15 runs per over when Deepak Hooda also fell for a few runs. Given this scenario, the majority of teams would lose the match decisively.
India, however. In fact, their strong comeback kept the chase going until the very end. However, Sri Lanka remained in control until the thirteenth over, despite the daunting asking rate. The following over would bring about a significant change.
India took 26 runs off the over to put the cat among the pigeons, scoring a hat trick of sixes from Axar and one from Suryakumar off Wanindu Hasaranga. Voices returned to both the Indian dressing room and the crowd. Both Axar and Sky went toe-to-toe for the next two overs, and the atmosphere remained the same.
When Suryakumar was run out for 51 at the end of the 16th over, things looked even worse. Young Shivam Mavi struck a couple of sixes and a four off the final three balls of the 18th over to restore India’s faith just as the odds were heavily stacked against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, held their nerve in the match’s final two overs to win. However, just before the game was officially over—India needed one run off 17 balls. Which is practically impossible without a miracle or two captains. Hardik Pandya was seen shaking hands with Indian players and support staff.
After a match, players typically give each other and their opponents a handshake. When Hardik walked up to Jitesh Sharma. Shubman Gill, and fielding coach T Dilip while the match was still going on, the pictures went viral. Fans were dissatisfied when the Indian captain began post-match handshakes with the final ball still remaining. Despite the fact that India had the smallest chance of winning the match.