Criticism has surrounded Hardik Pandya's leadership as India faced disappointing results in the first two T20Is against West Indies. Amidst this, Parthiv Patel, a former India cricketer, has made a bold claim regarding Pandya's need for a supportive captain, citing the contrast between his success with the Gujarat Titans and his current stint under Rahul Dravid's guidance.

Hardik Pandya, who has been entrusted with the captaincy for the T20I series against West Indies, has come under fire as India found themselves on the losing end of both initial matches. The Indian batting lineup's underperformance has sparked debates across the cricketing community about the experimental strategies being employed. Hardik's captaincy decisions and player selections have also faced scrutiny.

Drawing parallels with Hardik's time at the helm of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where he led the team to victory in his first attempt (2022 season) and secured the runners-up position the following year, Parthiv Patel highlighted the significant role that Ashish Nehra, as the team's coach, played in their success.

However, Parthiv's concern lies with the current scenario within the Indian T20 team, suggesting that Hardik is not receiving the necessary support from head coach Rahul Dravid. He pointed out specific instances, such as the decision to allocate an over to Axar Patel in the first game, and the omission of Yuzvendra Chahal's fourth over in the second T20I. These decisions, in Parthiv's view, had an impact on the game's outcome and the overall performance.

Parthiv raised questions about whether Rahul Dravid's coaching style is proactive enough for the T20 format, asserting that the fast-paced nature of the game demands quick and strategic decisions that can change the course of a match in an instant. He emphasized that Hardik Pandya possesses the necessary spark for captaincy, but he requires the right support structure to excel.

As India finds itself trailing 0-2 in the series after the first two matches, the remaining three matches hold utmost importance for Hardik and his team. The pressure is on for them to make a comeback and salvage their standing in the series.