India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s bizarre dismissal in the ongoing first ODI against New Zealand kickstarted a debate on social media. It also led to a hilarious on-field moment between the two teams here on Wednesday.
For the unversed, Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya, who was hoping to bank on his start in the 1st ODI vs New Zealand, was involved in one of the most bizarre dismissals ever. The incident took place during the 40th over of the Indian innings when Hardik was facing Daryl Mitchell. Pandya was looking for a room when he tried to cut the ball which went to the gloves of wicketkeeper Tom Latham.
Moments after Pandya mistimed his shot, one of the bails came off and Tom appealed for a legitimate bowled dismissal. New Zealand skipper and wicketkeeper Tom Latham’s gloves were very close to the stumps at the time of action and thus, he wasn’t sure whether he had the bails unintentionally or the ball clipped the stumps.
After checking the review, the third umpire was convinced that Tom Latham didn’t disturb the bails, and Pandya was given out. The Indian all-rounder wasn’t the only one who was left disappointed with the controversial decision as it sparked a huge debate on social media. The video of the controversial wickets has gone viral on the internet.
Watch it here:
How’s that a bowled?? #HardikPandya𓃵 #INDvNZ #notout 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/D5pwFUZRoB
— Dr. Ayush (@Alwaysayush) January 18, 2023
Hardik’s teammates too were not pleased with the call and when Tom Latham came to bat during New Zealand’s innings, Ishan Kishan pulled off a hilarious prank. Well, when Latham was batting with New Zealand chasing 350, his habit of keeping his hands close to the stumps was imitated by India keeper Ishan Kishan. The Indian players appealed for a stumping on the first ball Latham faced from off-spinner Kuldeep Yadav as Kishan took the bails off in jest. Though, Latham was in the crease Kishan went ahead to appeal.
Chad ishan kishan 😂😂
Hahaha Ishan Kishan having a laugh at Tom Latham… 😂😂 #IndvNZ*Comms: Don’t know what is happening! 🙄 pic.twitter.com/lpUwPO3edh
— 👌👑 (@kingstar1816) January 18, 2023
While Kishan’s action left everyone in splits, however, his actions did not go down well with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who slammed Ishan Kishan for his actions, saying that what he did wasn’t cricket. “Taking the bails off was fine but he should not have appealed,”
