Gautam Gambhir comes in support of Hardik Pandya after Pune defeat

Hardik alongside Shanaka [Source: Associated Press]

After India's defeat against Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Pune, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir came in support of Hardik Pandya, saying that a player like him should not be judged after every game.

Vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Axar Patel’s stunning efforts with the bat went in vain as Sri Lanka defeated India by 16 runs in the second T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune to level the ongoing three-match T20I series at 1-1 on Thursday (January 5).

In an all-important game, Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka stepped up and produced one of the most memorable all-round performances on Indian soil. Shanaka smoked an unbeaten 56 off 22 balls in the second T20I between India and Sri Lanka in Pune on Thursday, January 5.

Speaking after the game to the host broadcaster Star Sports, former India player Gautam Gambhir said Pandya has been good and he should not be judged after every game. He further said that Pandya cannot control the bowlers and believes it's the responsibility of the bowler to not bowl no balls. It is pertinent to note that the Indian pacers bowled 7 no balls in the Pune T20I.

"He has been good. You should not judge people after every game. Because India has lost the game, doesn't mean that he has done anything wrong. He can't control the bowlers by not bowling no-balls. It's the responsibility of the bowler," said Gautam Gambhir.

With the T20I series evenly poised at 1-1, Team India will be in action in Rajkot on Saturday, January 7 in order to claim another series win over the Asia Cup 2022 winners in India.

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