Hardik Pandya made quite the fashion change by sporting a headband in the first ODI against Sri Lanka today (July 18). The look collected some praise from English pacer Stuart Broad, who loved a tweet that showed him and Hardik Pandya rocking headbands.
ESPN Cricinfo shares a tweet asking fans who pulled off the headband to look better and Broad replied almost immediately. There were also responses from fans appreciating the look.
You can view the post below:
Headbands: Team @StuartBroad8 or Team @hardikpandya7? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/usXgAhjTnj
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 18, 2021
Legend acknowledging legend. Beauty of social media.
— Roit (@RoHitAmann) July 18, 2021
“Legend acknowledging legend. The beauty of social media” read one of the comments on Twitter.
Some fans also took up Ashoke Dinda as a bowler who sported headbands.
Team ashok dinda @StuartBroad8 @hardikpandya7 @dindaashoke pic.twitter.com/U59fAo4Zzi
— Parag Rege (@RegeParag) July 18, 2021
Hardik Pandya marking his run-up was great news for Indian fans as it showed the all-rounder’s journey. He bowled 5 overs for 33 runs and picked up the wicket of Isuru Udana. His brother Krunal Pandya, who was slotted in as the 2nd all-rounder, had a good outing with the ball with figures of 10-0-26-1.
At the moment of writing, Sri Lanka finished their innings with 262 for 9. Chamika Karunaratne’s unbeaten 43 saw them breach the 250-mark. Charith Asalanka (38) and Dasun Shanaka (39) made vital contributions. Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav picked up 2 wickets respectively. Chahal provided the breakthrough for India by dismissing opener Avishka Fernando.
Yadav’s double strike dented the hosts further before Asalanka and Shanaka set almost rebuilding the innings. The only bowler to go wicketless was Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The last 5 overs yielded 52 runs for Sri Lanka, helping them attain a competitive total.
India needs 263 from 50 overs and will also see 2 new debutants in Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan trying to make a mark.
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