The Indian cricket team has just returned from England after a humiliating 1-4 defeat in the 5-match Test series. Among those whose performance came under scrutiny was all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Launching a tirade against Pandya, former India player Harbhajan Singh had wondered if the former deserved to be called an all-rounder in light of his poor run with the bat. Speaking to a channel, Singh had said, “We have to remove the all-rounder tag from him as an all-rounder contributes in both the departments as Stokes, Curran did in the first Test and now Woakes has done at the Lord’s. The same is expected of Hardik Pandya, he cannot become Kapil Dev overnight!.”
Pandya, known for his flamboyance, took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a photo of himself with a caption, “Back to India ?? gutted with the result but it was a well fought series ? and good to be back home for couple of days before we fly again for Asia cup in few days time !”
His photo did not go down with his fans, many of whom appeared angry with the lack of sadness after the humiliating series defeat in England. This led to an incessant trolling with an overwhelming majority of his followers giving him alternative career options other than playing for India.
One angry fan wrote, “I think you people should be paid based your performance rather than current system of payment… as that’s working well in IPL and you are taking it more serious than playing for the country…” Another commented, “Dear Hardikbhai. Please u left cricket and start modelling. U earn more.” “Competitor of Dhinchak Pooja,’ commented another follower on Instagram.
In the just concluded Test series, Pandya scored 85 runs in four Test matches, He was dropped for the last Test match at Oval, which India lost by 118 runs. The 24-year-old player will be in action next in the Asia Cup, starting from 15 September.