WI vs IND: Hardik Pandya trolled for 'Good to be unique' remark on question about losing 3rd ODI

India and West Indies are locking horns in the third and final ODI of the three-match series on Tuesday, August 01 at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. West Indies captain Shai Hope has won the toss and elected to bat first in the series decider. At the toss ahead of the must-win encounter, India captain Hardik Pandya was informed that India haven’t lost a bilateral ODI series against West Indies for over a decade and he wouldn’t certainly want to be the captain to break the trend.

However, Pandya had a rather bizarre reply as he said, “It’s okay to be unique.” His statement hasn’t gone down well with fans who’re trolling him left right and centre. Notably, India last lost a bilateral series against West Indies way back in 2006 away from home when they were beaten 4-1 under the leadership of Rahul Dravid.

Since then, the Men in Blue are on a 12 consecutive bilateral ODI series winning streak against the Windies. But they now find themselves on the brink of ending their streak as they lost the second ODI in Barbados by six wickets. Batting first India got bundled out for 181 in 40.5 overs and the hosts later chased down the target in 36.4 overs with captain Shai Hope (63*) and Keacy Carty (48*) starring with the bat.

Unadkat makes ODI comeback after 3,539 days

Coming back to the third ODI, India have made two changes to their XI after a six-wicket hammering in the second game. Star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to remain absent from the team as Ruturaj Gaikwad replaces Axar Patel and Jaydev Unadkat gets a go ahead of Umran Malik.

Notably, Unadkat has made a comeback to the ODIs after nine years as he made his last appearance in the 50-over format in November 2013 against West Indies in Kochi. The left-arm seamer has picked 8 wickets in his career from seven games so far at an average of 26.12 with best figures of 4/41.

Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Pandya's Bizarre Statement. 

Here are some of the Tweets:

😂😂
mere gharwale to me - "aaj tak gharane me koi fail nai hua hai"
me - "it's okay to be unique"

— T.J. Detweiler (@TJDetweiler03) August 1, 2023

Aisa unique bhi nahi banna hai bhai 😭

— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) August 1, 2023

How can someone with such losing mentality can be made captain?

— Ansh Shah (@asmemesss) August 1, 2023

pic.twitter.com/7scXTR3mw9

— Jim Is Here To Take Care of Him (@RoastHimJim) August 1, 2023

Pandu it can be okay for you but not for us to lose to a team who ain’t even playing cwc 🤢🤢

— Bateman (@baldaati) August 1, 2023

Even he said I don't mind losing to CSK when he lost ipl
I don't want him as a captain just coz of this loser mindset

— H🌊RIZØN #RohitSharmasupermacy (@Horizoned2) August 1, 2023

From Making two teams that Can beat any team in the world
To
It's ok to lose a series against club level teams like west indies.
India come a long way 😂😂😂

— SaرdarZadda SheرZaaD Sanجrani (@Wadoodkhan_) August 1, 2023

Kapil Dev : 0
Hardik Pandya : 1

🫡

— 𝖵𝖢𝖣 ( असत्यसधक ) (@YorkerGod) August 1, 2023

He is directly talking to trolls right now and inviting more trolling 😂

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) August 1, 2023

@Royatshorma264 ye bollywood ka arjun kapoor hatt be

— Soham M (@103of49Wankhede) August 1, 2023