Brother Krunal leads the way as wishes pour in for Hardik Pandya

You keep getting better day by day and I keep running out of words to praise you day by day. Well done, Bhai!!!” wrote Krunal on his instagram handle.

Fantastic cricket, both in front and behind the wickets. Congratulations Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant on your respective 5 wicket hauls! Let’s nip this in the bud now, tweeted Sachin Tendulkar.

Wonderful effort by India to bowl out England in this extended 2nd session. Brilliant stuff from Pandya and the rest of bowlers for the probing lines and 168 is a very significant lead. Hope the batsman now capitalise and we have the match firmly in our control,” tweeted Laxman.

But the wish came from his elder brother Krunal Pandya.

Hardik Pandya stole the limelight with his maiden five-wicket haul as India made a strong comeback in the series by taking complete control of the third cricket Test against England.

At stumps on day two, India were well placed at 124 for two in 31 overs in their second innings with Cheteshwar Pujara batting on 33 and skipper Virat Kohli unbeaten on 8.

It was Pandya who turned out to be the cynosure of all eyes, registering career-best figures of 5 for 28 to help India bundle out England for 161 in their first innings and give his side the upper-hand for the first time in the series.

Pandya’s brilliant performance that saw him picking up the wickets of Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid and Stuart in a six-over spell, drew appreciation from all quarters.