Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya came under heavy criticism from former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar and former India player Sanhay Manjrekar after he gifted his wicket due his silly error on Day 3 of the 2nd Test against South Africa at Centurion’s SuperSport Park.

After hitting a ball to mid-on, Pandya tried to steal a run but captain Kohli sent him back to the crease. Despite Proteas pacer Vernon Philander’s direct hit, Pandya had almost made it to back into the crease, but was given run out as he failed to drag his bat across the line.

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In the television review, one can clearly see that, both, his feet and bat were in the air, while South African players were seen laughing as they were not able to believe their luck of getting Pandya’s priced wicket.

Today Hardik Pandya proved he is more dumber than Alia Bhatt. #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/xcpjuHDKDA

— Waѕiyullah Budye (@WasiyullahB) January 15, 2018

In the commentary box, Gavaskar said, “Casual. No not just casual, that is unforgivable”. Sanjay Manjrekar on the other hand took it another level and called Pandya “arrogant”.

Manjrekar took it to micro-blogging site and wrote, “Early lesson for Hardik Pandya that this game will come to bite you back if you let confidence become arrogance.”

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

Not just commentator but even cricket lovers were angry with Pandya’s attitude and wrote on Twitter that, “He may not be the next Kapil Dev, but he surely the next Sourav Ganguly”

“Hardik Pandya balancing out all the good things he has done on the tour. If you don’t respect the game enough, it’ll come back to bite you hard. #SAvIND,” read another Tweet from a fan.

He may not be the next Kapil Dev but Hardik Pandya, by not grounding bat, at least proved he’s the next Ganguly. #SAvIND #INDvSA

— Stereotypewriter (@babumoshoy) January 15, 2018

#INDvSA After struggling to stay in the series, India displacy complacency. Very poor running by Hardik Pandya

— Ajay Kaul (@ajaykaul10) January 15, 2018

Hardik Pandya balancing out all the good things he has done on the tour. If you don’t respect the game enough, it’ll come back to bite you hard. #SAvIND

— Aakash Bang (@ABCricket19) January 15, 2018

Everyone talked about the importance of the first hour, and how it can change the landscape of this game.

Hardik Pandya’s carelessness has overturned everything. #SAvsIND

— Gautam Sodhi (@GautamSodhi1) January 15, 2018

Schoolboy Error…..could possibly cost India the match. Inexplicable. #SAvIND

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 15, 2018

Meanwhile, on third day, till the story was filed, the visitors had scored 306 runs for eight wickets.