Indian captain Hardik Pandya was seen wiping his eyes during the Indian national anthem in the first T20 match between West Indies and India on Thursday (August 3).
Pandya’s action initiated a huge debate on Twitter. Some said that it was just dust, while others thought he was emotional.
This was not the first time Pandya was seen emotional as he also cried after India defeated Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 while remembering his late father.
Here's how Twitter reacted to the viral picture:
Fast bowlers Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd and Obed McCoy bagged six wickets as the West Indies defeated India by four runs in the first Twenty20 International.
While chasing 150 runs, India lost wickets at regular intervals and the required run rate climbed beyond their reach as Debutant Tilak Varma top-scored with 39 off 22 balls.
The visitors needed 11 off the final over but Shepherd kept a cool head to concede five runs and picked up two wickets to condemn India to defeat in their 200th T20 international. Only Pakistan having played more matches in the shortest format of the game at 223.
India did not have the services of players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who were left out of the squad.
"We were right in the chase. We made some errors which cost us, but it is fine," India captain Hardik Pandya said.
"A young team will make mistakes. Throughout the game, we were in control. I have always believed that in T20 cricket, if you lose wickets, it becomes difficult to chase down a total."
- Hardik Pandya