Hardik Pandya Bowled: 'Rubbish Decision' - Twitter Reacts As India All-Rounder Is Adjudged Out In Controversial Third Umpire Call

Hardik Pandya became the victim of a contentious third-umpire decision as he was given out bowled after replays showed that the bails were dislodged only after the ball came off the keeper's gloves.

India's Hardik Pandya is clean bowled during the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on January 18, 2023.

Source : AFP

After the conclusion of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, India's ODI World Cup preparations will see them take on New Zealand in home conditions. The Men in Blue will lock horns with the BlackCaps in a three-match ODI series the first of which is already underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

While much of the limelight was on Shubman Gill during India's batting inning as the right-handed batter scored a sensational hundred and steered the team to a formidable total, a decision by the third umpire during the latter half of the Indian innings has stunned everyone who witnessed it unfolding.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya became the victim of a contentious third-umpire decision as he was given out bowled after replays showed that the bails were dislodged only after the ball came off the wicketkeeper's gloves. There was a lot of confusion over the decision but ultimately Hardik had to take the long walk back to the pavilion. 

Mitchell lucky to get this wicket

It all unfolded in the 40th over of the innings which was being bowled by Daryl Mitchell who had returned for his second spell with this over after conceding 25 runs for a wicket in his first 4 overs.

Following Hardik's bizarre dismissal, social media has been flooded with all kinds of reactions and memes.

"Unlucky Hardik Pandya," wrote one user.

Unlucky Hardik Pandya. pic.twitter.com/ALqYj9R0Bg

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 18, 2023

"How is this even OUT!! @ICC #INDvsNZ #HardikPandya," wrote another.

How is this even OUT!! @ICC #INDvsNZ #HardikPandya pic.twitter.com/uT21O8Xxx5

— cric guru (@bccicc) January 18, 2023

"That's not out. What a rubbish decision.. Poor Umpiring.. Hardik Pandya. #INDvsNZ #HardikPandya #INDvNZ," yet another user wrote on social media.

That's not out. What a rubbish decision.. Poor Umpiring.. Hardik Pandya. #INDvsNZ #HardikPandya #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/zrX21dOx4J

— Vishwajit Patil (@_VishwajitPatil) January 18, 2023

"When you're having a bad day 🙂👀 #HardikPandya," someone tweeted. "Hardik Pandya was not out here. Ball didn't even touch the stumps. Poor umpiring...," another comment on social media read.