Hardik Pandya Caught 'Smoking' While Standing Next To MS Dhoni At Sakshi's B'day Bash
Two months ago, Hardik Pandya had collapsed on the field during India's encounter against Pakistan during the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup. While the Indian team managed to win the game, Pandya was later diagnosed with an acute lower back injury which ruled him out of the tournament.
His injury was so severe that it further denied his participation in the Test, ODI and T20I series against West Indies at home. And, then, he was also left out of the upcoming T20I and Test series against Australia as the Indian selectors allowed him some time to recover. After staying away from the field for 60 days, Pandya gave the Indian cricket fans a reason to cheer for through a video where he was finally seen bowling and batting in the nets, rediscovering his form.
Focused and determined! Feels good to be bowling after 60 days, on my road to recovery ???? pic.twitter.com/D5moHZKVfd
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 19, 2018
"Focused and determined! Feels good to be bowling after 60 days, on my road to recovery," the 25-year-old all-rounder tweeted with the video which garnered a lot of views and attracted much praise from fans. If Pandya's 'road to recovery' video got everyone rallying behind him in support, another viral footage has now earned him flak and heavy criticism.
Pandya, who's off duty due to his injury, shares a close bond with MS Dhoni and it wasn't really surprising to see him amongst many celebrities who attended Sakshi's birthday bash recently. Apart from being snapped with Dhoni, the Baroda cricketer was seen in many videos uploaded by Dhoni's wife on Instagram.
However, to the sheer shock and disappointment of Indian cricket fans, Pandya was seen either smoking or vaping in one of the videos that has since gone viral on the social media. In the video, MSD and Sakshi were seen gearing for the cake-cutting ceremony when Pandya, standing next to the former Indian skipper, was seen taking a puff and exhaling thick smoke in the background.
We aren't really sure if the Indian cricketer was smoking a cigarette or just vaping, but his exploits in the video has undoubtedly left the Indian cricket fans fuming, with some even urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take some action against Pandya.
@BCCI please take some disciplinary action against @hardikpandya7 . Is this an example you want to set for all youngsters? Also is it fair that a smoker gets to wear INDIA jersey? @imVkohli
— V Trader (@vtrader1982) November 20, 2018
From the video.. it seems to me tht he was vaping..
— pöpëyë (@da_sailor_man) November 20, 2018
Smoking is style for celebrity making Advertising of cigarette brand
— habib_me (@habibme1) November 19, 2018
Hardik Pandya failing miserably at trying to act cool & sly while hiding his vape is me trying to act cool & sly ever. pic.twitter.com/dejDbAf3mq
— Sahil Rizwan (@SahilRiz) November 20, 2018
It was vape ???
— GI_joe (@GIjoe50707558) November 19, 2018
In the modern era of the sport where cricketers are very particular about their fitness, Pandya's recent antics will also disappoint Virat Kohli who, for long, has insisted on eating right and training hard to derive favourable results on the field. Moreover, Pandya, being a role model for the youth, is surely not expected to set a bad precedent for the youngsters.