WATCH: Hardik Pandya Denies 'Finisher' Dinesh Karthik Strike On The Last Delivery; GT Coach Ashish Nehra Reacts

Hardik Pandya denied Dinesh Karthik strike on the last delivery of the innings, and his IPL team, Gujarat Titans' coach Ashish Nehra has reacted.

IND vs SA: All-rounder Hardik Pandya's return to team India has surely strengthened the Men In Blue. After winning the IPL 2022 as Gujarat Titans' captain, fans were excited about his return and this turned into anger for some after Hardik Pandya refused to take a single on the second last delivery of the innings. 

Hardik denied the strike to Dinesh Karthik who had arrived in the same over on the crease. Instead of giving the strike to revamped finisher Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya decided to keep the strike for himself. However, the explosive batter was able to score just 2 runs on the last delivery. Gujarat Titans' coach Ashish Nehra expressed his disappointment with the IPL franchise captain's decision. 

In a conversation with a known YouTube channel, Ashish Nehra said, 'He (Hardik) should've taken a single on the last delivery. It was Dinesh Karthik on the other end not me that he decided not to take a single. However, despite being denied the strike in his comeback match, Dinesh Karthik didn't display any anger or disappointment and was instead seen cheering the batter. 

Ashish Nehra went on to say, "Hardik Pandya is capable of fulfilling all the roles. We've seen him performing well in the Tests and ODIs as well. Whether he's batting at number 3 or 4. He was Gujarat's captain in the IPL and contributed with the ball as well."

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While talking about the match, after being put in to bat first, team India posted a total of 211/4 in 20 overs. Opener Ishan Kishan scored 76 runs in 48 deliveries while Pant & Pandya played quick knocks of 29(16) and 31*(12) respectively.

In reply, David Miller & Rassie van der Dussen powered South Africa to a 7-wicket win. Rassie scored an unbeaten75 runs in 46 deliveries while 'player of the match' David Miller smacked 64* runs in 31 deliveries to put South Africa 1-0 ahead in 5-match T20I series. This match was played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.