'Hardik Does Not Have To Be Dhoni...,' Ex-Opener Opens Up About Hardik-Tilak Varma Controversy
Tilak Varma was left stranded on 49* (Twitter)
Ahead of the crucial fourth T20I clash between India and West Indies, former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra defended stand-in captain, Hardik Pandya's recent on-field decision that drew criticism from many.
Aakash Chopra has backed Hardik Pandya's decision
Drawing parallels with MS Dhoni’s captaincy, Hardik was extensively compared to the Indian veteran but Chopra feels that the current skipper doesn't have to emulate the former captain’s approach.
During the third T20I, with India needing just two runs for a win and over two overs left, Hardik faced a situation where he could have easily taken a single and allowed his teammate, Tilak Varma, who was batting on 49, to complete a personal milestone of fifty runs.
Instead, Pandya smashed a six, finishing the game and leaving Varma stranded just one run short of his half-century.
This move drew flak from several quarters, with some pointing out how MS Dhoni, the revered former Indian captain, often prioritized his partner's milestones. Citing an instance, critics and fans mentioned how Dhoni had once defended a ball to let Virat Kohli score the winning runs for doing all the hard work in the chase.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra explained that while Hardik has faced a lot of criticism and trolling, there's an alternate perspective that questions the significance of achieving certain milestones.
“Hardik Pandya has been trolled a lot. He has got a lot of criticism but then there is another school of thought that why are you making so much noise about a milestone? So he is in the middle of conversations."
The former opener recollected an instance when MS Dhoni intentionally played defensively to allow Virat Kohli, who was batting with him, to finish the game. He highlighted that while Dhoni had his unique style, Hardik shouldn't feel obligated to replicate it. According to him, even if the 29-year-old looks up to Dhoni as an idol, he doesn't need to imitate him entirely.
“I remember MS Dhoni defending a ball as he wanted Virat Kohli, who was at the other end, to finish it off. So that was Dhoni but Hardik does not have to be Dhoni. He doesn't need to do or become like Dhoni even if he considers him his idol."
Controversy aside, Tilak Varma has shown superb skills and maturity so far at the international level and would be hoping to go from strength to strength.
 "Jatin")
