Hardik Pandya has taken to captaincy just like fish to water. Experts had their doubt if he has it in him to be able to take on the responsibility but in the first two matches, Pandya has displayed incredible grit and determination.
In the third game, they take on Punjab Kings and both teams have gone into the game to capitalize a win and keep the momentum going. Punjab batted first and at one point they were in complete cruise control getting more 140 in in 14 overs. However, the Gujarat bowlers came back strongly to pick up regular wickets to reduce Punjab to 9 wickets.
Last Over Comedy
The captain himself decided to take the last over. Punjab had made its way to 173 for 9 before the final over. However, the Punjab batsmen at the crease i.e. Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh were looking to go big and give a healthy total to the team. In the very first ball of Pandya, Chahar struck him cleanly for a six. After a couple of singles, he again struck the fourth ball for a crisp boundary.
On the last ball of the over, Punjab were looking to end big with a boundary that would propel them towards the 190 mark. Arshdeep Singh was on strike and he got a short ball. He pulled it towards mid-wicket where a fielder was present. The batsmen risked taking 2 and ran hard. As they were completing the second, they realized that throw is wayward at the keeper’s end and they then go for the third run. However, there was no third run as there was a cover fielder for the overthrow. The fielder quickly collected the ball and threw it towards the bowler’s end as the batsman was no where in sight.
Even though Pandya was at the stumps, he made a complete soup . He could not collect the throw but by mistake broke the stumps with his legs. By this time, Arshdeep was back into the crease after finishing the 3 runs. Punjab ended up with 189.
Hardik could not believe what he had done and had a dry smile on his face. he knew it was an easy run-out but he made it look more difficult that it should have been.
— Sam (@sam1998011) April 8, 2022
Hardik Pandya did a mess in attempting a runout.
— pradeep (@_PradeepTweets) April 8, 2022
Na catch liya jata hai or na hi simple run out kiya jata hai 😅 @hardikpandya7
— Saurabh (@SaurabhxXD) April 8, 2022
The worst cricketer I have seen in my whole life @hardikpandya7 💯🙌
— pavanism suri⚡ (@PSPK_RAINA3) April 8, 2022
#hardikPandya Someone teach him how to run out a player #IPL #GujaratTitans
— Ashish (@Ashishevs) April 8, 2022
Pandya needed to do this after falling on the wickets himself🤦♂️ #hardikpandya #PKvsGT pic.twitter.com/ED535vhDYw
— TheBharatBoy (@TheBharatBoy) April 8, 2022