Indian batsman accused of 'unforgivable' act
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been accused of an "unforgivable" act during India's Test match against South African in Centurion.
Pandya gifted South Africa his wicket when he ambled back from attempting a quick-single but was run out on 15 by Vernon Philander, the all-rounder failing to ground his bat or a foot despite being beyond the crease.
It was a lazy move from the all-rounder, who was slammed by the commentators for not at least grounding his bat.
"This is unforgivable, not just casual it is unforgivable," former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar said in commentary.
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Meanwhile his co-commentator Jonty Rhodes took it one step further.
"That is unforgivable for a professional sportsman, it's lazy," Rhodes said.
"He's there all he needs to do is ground his bat."
Other former India cricketers also slammed the lazy effort.
Early lesson for Hardik Pandya that this game will come to bite you back if you let confidence become arrogance.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 15, 2018
Schoolboy Error.....could possibly cost India the match. Inexplicable. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 15, 2018
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers crafted an unbeaten half-century to put South Africa in a promising position on the third day of the second Test, which was cut short by bad light after India captain Virat Kohli lit up Centurion with a sublime hundred.
A magnificent 21st Test century from Kohli (153) got the tourists up to 307 all out on Monday, Morne Morkel taking 4-60 as the Proteas earned a first-innings advantage of 28.
An intriguing contest appeared to be swinging in India's favour when Jasprit Bumrah reduced South Africa to 3-2, but De Villiers (50 not out) and Dean Elgar (36no) came to the rescue with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 87 on a deteriorating pitch.
South Africa were 90-2 when the players were taken off 10 overs into the final session under dark skies, leading by 118 as they strive to wrap up the series with one match to play.
Pandya's effort isn't the first bizarre run out we've seen in recent times, with Neil Wagner and Babar Azam also providing comical contenders.
With Omnisport