Hardik Pandya was forming a real threatening partnership with Virat Kohli on Day 3 of the ongoing Centurion Test when he gifted his wicket to the South Africans. It was right after an over when India captain Virat Kohli completed his 21st Test century.
On the very first ball of 68th over, a delivery from World Number one Test bowler Kagiso Rabada tempted Pandya. The right-handed batsman defended it to mid-on and tried to steal a quickie but Kohli sent him back. Pandya had to run back but he casually strolled to the crease as Vernon Philander had a direct hit.
TV replays showed that Pandya’s bat and foot were in the air when the ball hit stumps. The partnership between the two of 45 runs was broken by this bizarre run-out.
Pandya’s casual approach to the crease left Indian fans furious as they talked about grounding the bat when returning to the crease.
Here’s how Twitterati thrashed Pandya:
https://twitter.com/KaranArjunSm/status/952874066808942594
Mondays are hard. pic.twitter.com/uWVVQ0Mf7B
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) January 15, 2018
Ravi Shastri & Hardik Pandya in the Dressing Room#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Wd1GjGGrad
— Hariharan Durairaj 🦁🐿️ (@hariharan_draj) January 15, 2018
For those comparing Hardik Pandya with Kapil Dev, Kapil was NEVER run-out in his Test career (184 innings).#SAvIND #INDvSA
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) January 15, 2018
Among all the brain fades in this Test, Pandya’s must rank as the worst.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) January 15, 2018
Early lesson for Hardik Pandya that this game will come to bite you back if you let confidence become arrogance.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 15, 2018
Oh come on @hardikpandya7 this can change the series! This is unforgivable. Huge in the context of the game.
Disaster is an understatement.— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/ImRo450/status/952837836129976321
https://twitter.com/SpiceBoxofEarth/status/952821148844220417
When you think that your salary has got you covered for the month #SAvIND #Pandya pic.twitter.com/AOQrrCrxl8
— Knight Watchman (@knightwatchman) January 15, 2018
Hardik Pandya. Wowww!!
Bumrah hits headlines often for crossing the line, Pandya does for not crossing one !!. #SAvInd #IndvSA ScreenGrab courtesy @SPN_Cricket Sony Ten 1. pic.twitter.com/LCEqxAPKRf— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) January 15, 2018
"Hardik Pandya" Over past 6 odd months, we have been praising Pandya over his matured game. Well, it's all flushed out by that one moment
— Sunil chand (@SunillChand) January 15, 2018
Hardik Pandya got run-out in an absolute silly fashion #SAvIND #2ndTest pic.twitter.com/AXKYsIwJNj
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 15, 2018
