Twitter takes Hardik Pandya's case after a lazy run-out

Hardik Pandya has become the star player for India in the last couple of years and is expected to go places in the near future with the skills he possesses. He earned a lot of praises with his counter-attacking knock in Cape Town which gave India a real shot at the victory. Even with the ball, he was more effective than any other bowler scalping quick wickets when mattered the most. However, he was thrashed by Twitterati after being lazily run-out on the third day much to the disappointment of his skipper Virat Kohli.

The third day started with India 152 runs behind with only five wickets in hand. The duo had managed to see off the impeccable bowling effort of South Africa late on the second day and were expecting to take them on in the first session. They started off well scoring quickly in the first half an hour even as Kohli reached his 21 st Test century.

The unfortunate incident

The incident happened soon after the jubilation of Kohli’s century. Hardik’s straight drive went straight to Vernon Philander who was at mid-off. Pandya started running even as his captain refused to run and also called loud. The youngster turned his back after hearing Kohli’s call as Philander aimed a direct hit. He was so lazy in returning back to his crease that his bat and leg was in the air when the bails came off. The breakthrough was a severe jolt to India’s hopes of taking the lead in the first innings.

Twitter was in anticipation of a Pandya special but they were shocked to see the way he got out. Soon after hailing Kohli for his captain’s knock they slammed the all-rounder for his careless approach. While some created his funny memes, the die-hard fans clearly expressed their disappointment over the cricketer. The opportunity was gone begging for Hardik Pandya as he would’ve taken India into the lead. His 40-50 runs would’ve surely helped the visitors but it was not to be.

Here’s how Twitterati thrashed Pandya:

Hope this wasn’t a Dab! While SMG says this runout is unforgivable, @sanjaymanjrekar hits the nail on its coffin: ‘there is confidence. And there is arrogance’. #INDvSA

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 15, 2018

South Africa take 2 wickets with new ball. Pandya's stupid run out even more glaring. Had 19 overs with old ball to make count, but most were spent rebuilding the innings. #SAvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 15, 2018

This is the first time in history that the No. 3 and No. 7 batsmen of each side have been run out in their respective first innings of a Test.#Amla #Philander #Pujara #Pandya#SAvIND

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) January 15, 2018

Sunil Gavaskar: Unforgivable!

Rohan Gavaskar: Sorry papa, main kuch nahi Kr paaya!

Sunil Gavaskar: I am talking about Hardik Pandya's run out

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) January 15, 2018

Hardik Pandya is following the footsteps of Been Stokes too seriously, check out this ?#SAvIND #INDvSA #SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/jVula7mgXY

— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) January 15, 2018

Today Hardik Pandya proved he is more dumber than Alia Bhatt. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/xcpjuHDKDA

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) 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

"Casual. No not just casual, this is unforgivable" goes Sunny Gavaskar on air.

Hardik Pandya on a stroll back into the crease, doesn't drag his bat back in. And a direct hit does the trick. South Africa have a gift.

IND: 209/6 (67.1), trail by 126 runs. #SAvIND

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) 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

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

Kids around the world, there is a lesson from Indian star, Hardik Pandya. Instead of skipping into the crease, try sliding the bat in. #Running101

— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) January 15, 2018

This is casual. This is casual. This is casual. This is casual. This is casual. THAT, IS UNFORGIVABLE. #HardikPandya

— Sunil Gavaskar (@36notout) January 15, 2018