Hardik Pandya's performance at Trent Bridge has restored the faith of those who believed he would fade away. But the all-rounder justified his position in the team and dismissed five Englishmen on Sunday to pick his first Test five-wicket haul.
Fans were eagerly waiting for Pandya to deliver and when it was a tough period for him, they did come in support on social media for all the criticism he didn't deserve.
Among many, veteran Indian skipper Harbhajan Singh was also bitter with his words against Hardik. After the second Test at Lord's, he said, "We have to remove the all-rounder tag from him as an all-rounder contributes in both the departments as (Ben) Stokes, (Sam) Curran did in the first Test and now (Chris) Woakes has done at the Lord’s. The same is expected of Hardik Pandya, he cannot become Kapil Dev overnight," Harbhajan opined.
But as soon as Hardik bowled a magical spell, the offie took Twitter to laud the all-rounder who was losing the trust of the veteran bowler a few days back. "Great spell @hardikpandya7 first 5 wicket haul in test cricket.. wish you many more.. Go india ???????? ????????????????????," he wrote.
Great spell @hardikpandya7 first 5 wicket haul in test cricket.. wish you many more.. Go india ???????? ????????????????????
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 19, 2018
But Twitter never forgets anything and it was time for them to do the justice by going harsh against Harbhajan:
We Have to Remove All-rounder Tag From Hardik Pandya:Harbhajan Singh
— Lokesh Narayan (@LNShankar) August 19, 2018
Really you want to remove?
bate badlana to koi aap se seekhe.
— PraG (@prag180) August 19, 2018
abhi match ke pahle bol rhe the ki all rounder ka tag hta do
ab kuch aur..,????????????????
Never judge a player too early. Few days ago you said, pick up the tag of all-rounder from Hardik. Have some respect towards youngsters. Now take that. I must say, he's been better as batsman in this ongoing series than Stokes.
— Arindam Pakhira (@Caringarindam24) August 19, 2018
— Vinit ❤️ (@Forever_Virat) August 19, 2018
Someone just said that Pandya isn't all rounder
— Smit Bhut (@smitpatel3110) August 19, 2018
@harbhajan_singh What's your answer for previous question about @hardikpandya7
— praveen.T (@PraveenTh60) August 19, 2018
@harbhajan_singh hello paji I think u didn't bowled like this ever in outside India it's more enough to prove that @hardikpandya7 is a best all-rounder as of now
— Jaishankar (@Jaishan56374950) August 19, 2018
Everyone talking about allrounder word, you guys have to wait for it, where is allrounder performance? He done it in bowling ! What about batting? Hope everyone know what is word allrounder
— Cricket Follower (@kpl2018) August 20, 2018
Bhajji...plz don't judge a book by it's cover...( pandya has been played just 10 test matches only ,how could you judge whether he is a good all rounder or not ) so please don't discourage him, it's time to support him to motivate.. I hope you understand why I'm telling right now
— Muthukumar (@Muthuku02547116) August 20, 2018
Now what you want to say mr . Harbhajan singh@harbhajan_singh
— miss Ralhan (@Miss_Ralhan) August 20, 2018
you said that @hardikpandya7 was the big reason for india defeat now you are praising him pic.twitter.com/EJBAAmhNjw