But India lost both Pandya and Samson at the same score of 113 within three deliveries and were eventually restricted to 145-9 in 20 overs. Pandya was bowled by Jason Holder (2-19) while Samson was run out. Pandya said losing a couple of wickets in a row caused India’s downfall in the match.

“Throughout the game, we were in control. I have always believed that in T20 cricket if you lose wickets, it becomes difficult to chase down a total. When we lost a couple of wickets [in a row]...it cost us,” said Pandya during the post-match presentation ceremony on Thursday. The India captain said his team made mistakes which cost them the match.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Also Read: Hardik Pandya defends management's decision to rest stalwarts Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli

Pandya said the decision to include three spinners was because of the playing conditions. India went into the match with Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel with Arshdeep Singh and Mukesh Kumar as frontline pacers and the skipper as the medium-pacer all-rounder. 

“The bowling combination [of three spinners] was down to the conditions. We wanted Yuzi [Chahal] and Kuldeep to play together, and Axar brings batting [power],” said Pandya, who felt it was fantastic for medium pacer Mukesh to make his debut for India. Pandya was also pleased with the batting of middle-order batsman Tilak Varma, who top-scored with a blazing 39 off 22 deliveries on his India debut.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever