In a rather surprising call, Hardik Pandya turned down a single to deny Dinesh Karthik the strike in the final over of India’s innings in the first T20I against South Africa on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya, the IPL 2022 winning captain for the Gujarat Titans, carried his supreme batting form in India colours, smashing an unbeaten 31 off 11 in the first of five T20Is against South Africa in Delhi on Thursday, June 9.
Hardik, who had walked in to bat at the fall of Shreyas Iyer’s wicket in the 17th over, struck two fours and three sixes during his blitz, adding 46 off three overs with skipper Rishabh Pant, who himself scored 29 off 16.
However, there was a moment involving the all-rounder in the final over of the innings, which raised eyebrows and sparked reactions on social media. Having struck a six downtown off the previous ball, Hardik jammed the penultimate ball of the innings to deep mid-wicket, but turned down the single.
The batter at the other end was Dinesh Karthik, who made a comeback to the Indian team on the back of his supreme finishing show for the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the IPL 2022. The 37-year-old was welcomed with chants of “DK, DK!” from the Delhi crowd as he walked in to bat, and could score just a single off the two balls he faced.
Hardik faced the final ball, but managed a brace downtown to another Nortje yorker, as India finished strongly at 211/6 – the highest T20I score at the venue.
Watch the moment here, and the subsequent reactions:
— RohitKohliDhoni (@RohitKohliDhoni) June 9, 2022
Didn’t Understand Why Hardik Refused The Single on The Second Last Ball.
Does He Not See DK Good Enough To Hit A Six?#INDvsSA— Kshitij Gupta (@KshitijGupta99) June 9, 2022
Hardik Pandya really have an bad attitude when that 19.5 over why he not take single when Dinesh Karthik on another side 🤬 #INDvSA worst behaviour @hardikpandya7
— Steve (@_Stevebevan) June 9, 2022
not acceptable at this level…
DK is making a comeback after huge exploits in IPL…
its a team game eventually…
such poor attitude from hardik !!!!
should be noted by dravid— Arpit (@Cricket4Sarcasm) June 9, 2022
Hardik Pandya and DK today 😉 pic.twitter.com/qXZE4tmgWt
— Bittu (@Bittuu_tweets) June 9, 2022
DK just walked in while Hardik is already smashing. That’s why…
— Cricket Crazy (@CricketCrazy00) June 9, 2022
Hardik Pandya refused a single to farm the strike with DK on the other end! Now let’s hope India doesn’t lose this match in the last ball of the match. #INDvSA #HardikPandya #dk
— Sri Vathsan (@vathsansri) June 9, 2022
Hardik to DK #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/ZvRcEwL3Tv
— D O N (@Iam_don_hui) June 9, 2022
Hardik Pandya denying Dinesh Karthik the strike on the last ball as if DK is a tailender…. 😭😭😭😭#bcci #INDvsSA #INDvSA #SAvsIND #TeamIndia #DK was literally like – pic.twitter.com/z18qYRwV67
— Maddy (@EvilRashford) June 9, 2022
Earlier, it was Ishan Kishan’s brisk 48-ball 76 that laid the foundation for a daunting total. Kishan struck 11 fours and three sixes, while adding 57 off 38 and 80 off 40 for the first two wickets with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Iyer respectively.
India had a fair share of luck during the game’s first half. While Iyer survived a stumping chance off Keshav Maharaj’s bowling, Pant escaped a diamond duck dismissal after having collided onto debutant Tristian Stubbs.
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