Tom Curran vibes: Netizens react as new-look Hardik Pandya returns to bowling in 1st ODI against Sri Lanka

Netizens react as new-look Hardik Pandya returns to bowling in 1st ODI against Sri Lanka  | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspAP

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya sported a headband when the speed merchant was asked to roll his arms in the 1st One Day International (ODI) between India and Sri Lanka contested at the R.Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. Pandya, who recently ditched the all-rounder’s role in domestic and international cricket to focus on becoming a premier batsman made an eventful return to bowling in the series opener at Colombo. 

Pandya’s new look garnered the attention of all fans and followers of the gentlemen’s game on social media. When stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan called Pandya to join the Indian attack, the stylish cricketer was seen wearing a unique headband. Pandya was mentioned in several tweets as his new-look soon became the talk of the town. “Love it @hardikpandya7,” England all-rounder Stuart Broad was in awe of Pandya’s new look on Twitter. 

Talking about Pandya’s return to bowling in international cricket, the Mumbai Indians (MI) superstar bagged the crucial wicket of Isuru Udana in the 47th over during the low-scoring encounter. With the wicket of Udana, Indian pacer Pandya bowled five overs and leaked 33 runs. Pandya supported the Bhuvneshwar Kumar-starrer bowling unit as India restricted the Islanders to a respectable total in the 50 over contest. 

Pandya last rolled his arms in the England series. The Team India pacer bowled for India in the third and final ODI of the bilateral series. Pandya went wicketless and conceded 48 runs in 9 overs. Since then, Pandya only returned to bowl for India in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. Pandya was only used as a batsman by Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians in the first leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 14. While Pandya picked up a solitary wicket, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuvendra Chahal secured a brace of wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 262-9 in 50 overs.  

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