Hardik Pandya’s kind gesture after India’s loss wins hearts

The all-rounder was returning to the team hotel along with teammates Ishant Sharma and KL Rahul when the incident took place.

Hardik Pandya might not have impressed too much in the first Test match at Edgbaston and there are talks over his role and position in the side, but away from all the cameras and attention the Indian all-rounder’s kind gesture is winning hearts.

India's Hardik Pandya won hearts with a kind gesture (Action Images via Reuters)

After the day’s play when Indian slumped to a 31-run loss, Pandya was returning to the team hotel along with teammates Ishant Sharma and KL Rahul when the incident took place. The all-rounder was the last to enter the hotel and went straight to the concierge.

According to the Telegraph, this is what he informed the staff: “This parcel contains food which wasn’t even touched by us when we dined... Please give it to anybody who comes in the hotel’s vicinity asking for food (which is a regular occurrence at night)... It has been packed for that person.”

While this did not generate enough attention, the hotel staff was mighty impressed by the Baroda-man’s heartfelt gesture and it also showed them how grounded these players are despite having all the luxury at their disposal.

After having slumped to a 31-run defeat, there are questions being raised over Hardik’s position in the side, with former West Indies fast bowler leading the charge.

“Why not pick a batsman (instead)? Pandya got a few runs in the second innings but is he a better batsman than Pujara? I don’t think so, and you don’t need him as a bowler in my eyes,” Holding was as quoted by Sky Sports.

However, the final decision still rests with the Indian management and Pandya might well get a game considering he can be the fifth bowler. And Virat Kohli should ideally show more faith in the all-rounder with the ball in Lord’s.