‘How Can Anyone Hate Him?’ Hardik’s ‘Great Gesture’ For Irish Youngster Melts Fans’ Hearts

Leading the Indian team for the first time in his career, Hardik Pandya led from the front as the Men in Blue began the two-match T20I series against Ireland with a comprehensive seven-wicket triumph.

Going into the match, India —  the top ranked T20I side the the world, were the overwhelming favourites and the visitors lived up to their stature during the rain-curtailed game.

As expected the Indian players excelled in all three departments of the game against the European minnows and deserved to win the encounter.

The only positive for the home side was the performance of their youngster Harry Tector, who blasted an unbeaten 64 off 33 deliveries and guided his team to a competitive total of 108 for four in 12 overs.

Great fun out there yesterday. Shame we couldn’t get over the line but we will learn and try come back better tomorrow. Thanks for all the support. The place was rocking! pic.twitter.com/dJrjMiLYxC

— Harry Tector (@harry_tector) June 27, 2022

Such was his power-hitting that it left even Indian skipper Hardik Pandya mighty impressed and  the Indian all-rounder heaped praise on the Irish youngster after the match.

Tector scored runs at an outstanding strike rate of 194 and Hardik spoke highly of the exciting talent. Not just that, the Indian captain said he had given Tector his bat and hoped that it would help him clear the ropes with relative ease, which might help him get an IPL contract.

Harry Tector has impressed an IPL-winning captain #IREvIND

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 27, 2022

“He played some fantastic shots, and obviously he is 22, I’ve given him a bat as well, so maybe he can score some more sixes, and maybe get an IPL contract. I wish him luck,” Hardik said after the match.

The fans loved Hardik’s sweet gesture for the youngster who despite being the top-scorer in the tie ended on the losing side.

Nice gesture from Hardik Pandya, to gift his bat to Chamika Karunaratne, Hardik is also the role model of Chamika. pic.twitter.com/D1Trrl3ZZ6

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 26, 2021

This was not the first time Hardik had given a bat to an opposition player. Last  year, when he had gifted his willow to Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratnem, who calls him his role model.

For Karunaratne, receiving a bat from his role model, that too on his T20I debut, was a proud moment and he was deeply touched by Hardik’s gesture.

Karunaratne had also written a thank you note for Hardik on Instagram which read: “Absolutely honoured to have received a bat from my role model @hardikpandya93 , on my T20 debut. You are an amazing human being and I am truly touched by your thoughtful gesture. I’ll never forget this day. May God bless you always!”

The fans pointed how Hardik’s bat proved to be the lucky charm for Karunaratne and he got his maiden IPL contract and they wished for Tector to meet the same fate as well.