India vs South Africa: Hardik Pandya almost knocks off brother Krunal’s head during net practice

Ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya had a roller-coaster ride in his career in the last year with injuries, controversies and then a decent World Cup in the UK. The 25-year-old last appeared for India in the disappointing semi-final of the World Cup against New Zealand that the Men in Blue lost by 18 runs. The 25-year-old was rested for the entire series of the Windies that followed the big event and is set to make a return to the 22 yards in the home series against South Africa.

India will play a three-match T20I series against the Proteas starting September 15 with the first game scheduled in Dharamsala. In the run-up to the series, Hardik was seen sweating it out at the nets with the bat and among the bowlers giving him practice was Krunal, his elder brother.

On Wednesday, Hardik posted on Twitter a video that showed him batting at the nets in his usual explosive touch. And at one instance, Hardik was seen slamming a delivery from Krunal right past his head. He captioned the video: “Pandya vs Pandya in training, I think I won that round big bro @krunalpandya24, P.S: Sorry for almost knocking your head off”.

Pandya ???? Pandya in training

I think I won that round big bro @krunalpandya24 ????????

P.S: Sorry for almost knocking your head off ???????????? pic.twitter.com/492chd1RZh

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) September 11, 2019

Krunal comes up with a retaliatory video

Krunal, a left-arm orthodox spinner who made his international debut last year, came up with another video that showed him beating his brother who lost his balance while trying to play the outbound spin. He took a dig at Hardik asking him why he did not upload that video as well.

Krunal, who has so far appeared only in the shortest format, played in the three-T20I series in the West Indies but could pick only three wickets from as many games. He also played for India A against South Africa A at home recently but could finish with only three wickets in three matches there as well.

Hahaha it’s all cool bro but why didn’t you upload this video? ???????????? @hardikpandya7 https://t.co/90fsy4Rzqf pic.twitter.com/HuNmn51L2W

— Krunal Pandya (@krunalpandya24) September 11, 2019

Hardik though looked in good touch at the nets as he played some big hits, including a helicopter shot, reminding the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After Dharamsala, India and SA will play their remaining two T20I games in Mohali on September 18 and Bengaluru on September 22. It will be followed by a three-Test series.

India squad for the T20I series against SA:

Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, Washington Sundar, Khaleel Ahmed, Navdeep Saini and Deepak Chahar.