Twitter slams Harbhajan Singh for being harsh on Hardik Pandya after second Test

Hardik Pandya has given a befitting response to his critics with a sensational five-wicket haul in the third Test against England. Many were in the favour of him to be dropped from the team for the must-win game in favour of either an extra batsman or a bowler. Moreover, the likes of Michael Holding and Harbhajan Singh were too critical of post the Lord’s debacle even as the latter wanted his all-rounder tag to be removed.

As it turned out on Sunday, Hardik left the field with the standing ovation from the crowd as he ran through the batting line-up of the hosts only in a six-over spell. He swung the ball both ways and kept the batsmen on the tenterhooks all the time and the ball which scalped Jonny Bairstow was amazing. He was the reason why England were struggling at 128/9 after looking comparatively comfortable at 86/3.

Bhajji’s comment

Harbhajan Singh is currently in England and is commentating in the ongoing Test series for Sky Sports, the host broadcaster. He wanted Pandya to contribute like Chris Woakes and Sam Curran as the duo had won the first two Tests for England. But he struggled to come to the terms after playing as the third seamer at Lord’s which irked the many.

“We have to remove the all-rounder tag from him as an all-rounder contributes in both the departments as (Ben) Stokes, (Sam) Curran did in the first Test and now (Chris) Woakes has done at the Lord’s. The same is expected of Hardik Pandya, he cannot become Kapil Dev overnight,” Bhajji had said earlier.

While his analysis of the youngster was spot on as he was under-performing, but the comment to remove his all-rounder tag was too harsh. Twitter pointed out the same and came down hard at the 38-year-old after Pandya registered his best figures in Tests.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Slipper Shot To @harbhajan_singh 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Vva6A5V9b7

— RMK.Muthu (@rmkumar1021) August 19, 2018

bate badlana to koi aap se seekhe.
abhi match ke pahle bol rhe the ki all rounder ka tag hta do
ab kuch aur..,😙😀😁🤐

— PraG (@prag180) August 19, 2018

pic.twitter.com/ZgyY6PkAMT

— Vinit ❤️ (@Forever_Virat) August 19, 2018

Someone just said that Pandya isn't all rounder

— Smit Bhut (@smitpatel3110) August 19, 2018

pic.twitter.com/OdhSuHnaSd

— gaur rishabh (@GRiashab) August 19, 2018

Abhi toh bola tha PANDYA All rounder nahi , ab FAKE appreciation tweet kyu bruh

— Vinit ❤️ (@Forever_Virat) August 19, 2018

Nice way to cover up paaji

— Deepak Chanchlani (@dchanchlani) August 19, 2018

Kyu bhai, "Hardik all rounder nhi hai" yeh shayed Maine bola tha.. 😃

— CricGuru (@CricStats_Guru) August 19, 2018

Bhai news me bane rahne ke liye banda kuchh bhi bol rha.

— Lokesh Narayan (@LNShankar) August 19, 2018

We Have to Remove All-rounder Tag From Hardik Pandya:Harbhajan Singh

Really you want to remove?

— Lokesh Narayan (@LNShankar) August 19, 2018

Pls ask Michel holding about pandyas bowling 😂

— Mr. A (@Abhishek_Atwal) August 19, 2018

@harbhajan_singh hello paji I think u didn't bowled like this ever in outside India it's more enough to prove that @hardikpandya7 is a best all-rounder as of now

— Jaishankar (@Jaishan56374950) August 19, 2018

Never judge a player too early. Few days ago you said, pick up the tag of all-rounder from Hardik. Have some respect towards youngsters. Now take that. I must say, he's been better as batsman in this ongoing series than Stokes.

— Arindam Pakhira (@Caringarindam24) August 19, 2018

Was it true that you questioned his abilities as a all-rounder? I am sure you would not have! This was quoted a source on one of a friendly chat I had with someone!

— RJ (@RampJay) August 19, 2018

App he ne to kaha @hardikpandya7 k upar se all rounder ka tag hatane ke liye.Ab Kya hua

— Biplab Manna (@imbiplab18) August 19, 2018

Still not an all rounder??

— NEERAJ SINGH (@NEERAJ92TTR) August 19, 2018

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