Stump mic captures Hardik Pandya's message to Tilak Varma before match-winning SIX

Following Suryakumar Yadav's remarkable performance against the West Indies in the decisive 3rd T20I, it was Tilak Varma and Captain Hardik Pandya who put the finishing touches in a stylish manner. However, Pandya faced criticism for hitting the winning six due to the belief that he denied a well-deserved half-century to the younger player, Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten at 49 on the opposite end.

READ | IND vs WI: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma help keep series alive, Kuldeep Yadav scripts history

While India secured victory by 7 wickets, fans were irked by what they perceived as Pandya's "selfish" move, preventing Tilak Varma from reaching his half-century milestone.

As the backlash against Hardik Pandya continues, a curious conversation between Tilak and his captain was captured by the stump mic. At the time, Tilak was batting at 44 runs off 32 balls, and India required 12 runs from 23 balls. Pandya could be heard saying, "Tereko especially khatam karna hai, rukna hai. Gendo ka fark padta hai" (You have to stay there and finish the game. The number of balls faced makes a difference).

From the exchange recorded on the stump mic, it became apparent that Pandya had wanted Tilak to be the one to secure the winning runs. However, circumstances seemingly forced Pandya to deviate from his intention after Tilak scored five runs off the subsequent five balls.

At that point, Pandya himself was batting at 12 runs off 12 balls. Presented with a slower ball that suited his style, Pandya swung powerfully, sending the ball soaring over long-on for a resounding six. While the criticism directed at Pandya might linger, the stump mic's recording offers a glimpse into the team's dynamic and strategic discussions in the heat of the moment.

Talking about the clash, Kuldeep Yadav's standout performance extended beyond his contribution to the match, as he achieved a significant milestone in his T20I career. He secured his 50th T20I wicket in his 30th match which saw him surpass fellow spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pacer Jasprit Bumrah in this tally. Chahal claimed his 50th wicket in his 34th match, while Bumrah achieved the feat after 41 games.