Hardik Pandya Urges Security To Go Easy On Fans Who Invaded Pitch For Selfies: Watch

Last Updated:December 14, 2024, 16:47 IST

The pitch invaders might have faced strict consequences for their act, but in a heartwarming gesture, the cricketer came forward to save them.

Hardik Pandya wins internet with his gestures

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the domestic circuit and represented Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Under the leadership of his elder brother Krunal, the team made it to the semis but were knocked out after losing to Mumbai.

Pandya couldn’t contribute to the must-win win but his gesture for several pitch invaders won a million hearts. On Friday three fans breached the security at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to click selfies with Pandya. The incident unfolded during the second innings when Mumbai were chasing a 159-run target in the knockout clash.

Once the fans stepped onto the field, a few security personnel came running behind to escort them away. They might have faced strict consequences for their act, but in a heartwarming gesture, the cricketer came forward to save them.

In a viral video, Hardik Pandya was urging the security personnel to go easy on the fans. The T20 World Cup winner even walked to the boundary line and personally spoke to the stadium staff, making sure that those guys could leave without any severe punishment.

The crowd at Chinnaswamy loved Pandya’s gesture and broke into a roar. A fan shared the footage on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Hardik Pandya tells security guys not to use force on three guys who came to meet him. Got a huge roar from the crowd. A beautiful gesture from Hardik Pandya.”

Speaking about his on-field performance, Hardik Pandya managed only five runs off six deliveries in the semi-final match. Baroda batted first and posted 158 runs, losing seven wickets in 20 overs. Shivaik Sharma was the top scorer with 36 runs, while captain Krunal Pandya and opener Shashwat Rawat contributed 30 and 33 runs respectively.

For Mumbai, Ajinkya Rahane stole the show with his power-packed batting. The veteran opening batter struck 98 runs off just 56 balls. His blistering knock was laced with 11 fours and five sixes. Skipper Shreyas Iyer added 46 runs to the score, hitting four boundaries and three maximums. Mumbai wrapped up the chase in 17.2 overs.

Hardik Pandya bowled four overs and took one wicket, giving away 29 runs. Among his teammates, Atit Sheth, Abhimanyusingh Rajput and Shashwat Rawat each picked one scalp as well. Mumbai will face Madhya Pradesh in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Sunday, 15 December, in Bengaluru.