'How can you say no to a single? He'll have to answer about it': CSK legend questions Hardik Pandya's intent after India lost 3rd T20I to England

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has faced criticism for his slow batting and a controversial decision to refuse a single to Dhruv Jurel during the third T20I between India and England in Rajkot. Following England's 26-run victory, several cricket experts highlighted Pandya's misjudgment.

Hardik Pandya's decision to deny Dhruv Jurel a single on the final ball of the 18th over, in an attempt to retain the strike, ultimately backfired. He was dismissed on the very next ball, a crucial moment that contributed to India's struggles. He attempted to hit Jamie Overton for a six but was caught by Jos Buttler. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team ultimately suffered a 26-run defeat in the T20I match against England, as the English bowlers maintained consistent pressure and took wickets at regular intervals, hindering India's chase.

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Ambati Rayudu criticises Hardik Pandya's batting approach

Meanwhile, former India's star batter Ambati Rayudu strongly criticised Pandya's lack of game awareness despite the star all-rounder ended up notching 40 runs off 35 balls.

“How can you say no to a single? Dhruv Jurel is a recognized batter who can hit boundaries. What was the use of that step as Hardik was dismissed on the first ball of the next over. It was not needed, and he should have trusted Jurel. Although Dhruv Jurel was sent at No.8, he has shown in the past that he can hit the shots. It is not good and Hardik will have to answer about it,” Ambati Rayudu said on Star Sports.

Not just Rayudu, even ex-India's star wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel slammed Pandya's batting approach. He clearly said one can't take 20-25 balls to get set.

"Can't take 20-25 balls to get set. I understand taking your time but you have to keep rotating the strike. Hardik may have ended up with 40 off 35, but there were a lot of dot balls at the start of his innings," Patel said on Star Sports show.

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After Pandya and Jurel's wickets, England bowlers took no time to wipe out India's tail and registered an emphatic 26-run win over hosts.

England's bowlers, particularly Adil Rashid (1/15), Jamie Overton (3/24), and Brydon Carse (2/28), put the brakes on India's batting lineup in the crucial middle overs. This strong performance allowed England to bounce back and keep their hopes alive in the five-match T20I series with a 26-run win over India at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. India, chasing 172 to notch an unassailable 3-0 series lead, saw their batting crumble under pressure. Unlike previous matches, there was no Tilak Varma to rescue the innings, leaving India to fall short of the target.