Hardik Pandya frustrated as Shikhar Dhawan gifts New Zealand an extra run

These are testing times for India all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The cricketer, who eventually got opportunity to play an international game on Monday since he was stretchered out of a game against Pakistan in Asia Cup in September, encountered yet another frustrating moment. And it was on the ground this time. Pandya featured in India’s playing XI in the third ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Pandya was in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. His unrestrained words on a popular TV show with filmmaker Karan Johar where he was present along with KL Rahul, saw the Indian board suspending him. The duo was sent home ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia earlier this month and their careers seemed to be in jeopardy with an indefinite suspension. Last week, in a sudden twist of events, the board run by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) decided to lift the suspension and Pandya was asked to join the Indian squad in New Zealand at the earliest.

Dhawan’s throw gifts the Black Caps an extra run

Pandya returned to the playing XI replacing his replacement Vijay Shankar and picked up two late wickets in his 10-over spell. It was during one of his overs that saw a shoddy fielding from Shikhar Dhawan at short mid-wicket that left Pandya frustrated. The Baroda all-rounder was clearly under pressure to perform and the casual fielding was a logical reason for him to feel upset.

It happened in the second ball of the 14th over when veteran batsman Ross Taylor was on strike with captain Kane Williamson accompanying him with NZ on 51 for 2. Pandya bowled a short delivery that caught Taylor off guard but he managed to pull it over the mid-wicket area. The mistimed shot though landed safely and the Black Caps batsmen took just one run but Dhawan made a mess over there to allow them to complete the second.

Dhawan picked the ball and instead of throwing it either at the striker or non-striker end, sent it towards square leg where Rohit Sharma was standing but failed to collect the ball. Kedar Jadhav came running all the way down to pick the ball and by then the Kiwis had taken their second run due to the overthrow. Pandya was heard saying “Come on yaar” at Dhawan’s direction.

Pandya finished with 2 for 45 in the match while Taylor fell short of his century by just seven runs in the must-win game for the home team.

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