The flamboyant Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya failed to contribute when it needed as the Indian team lost the opening Test of the 5-match series by 31 runs against England in Birmingham. However, a small gesture off the field by the all-rounder is already winning hearts.

Last week, when Hardik came back to the team hotel – the Hyatt Regency around 9:30 pm after having a dinner with his teammates Ishant Sharma and KL Rahul. The Baroda cricketer was the last to enter the hotel after leaving the cab and soon made his way to the concierge desk.

As quoted in The Telegraph, Hardik said to the hotel staffer, “This parcel contains food which wasn’t even touched by us when we dined… Please give it to anybody who comes in the hotel’s vicinity asking for food (occasionally happens at night)… It has been packed for that person.” The man in return was touched by the cricketer’s kind gesture to which he replied, “I will, of course, Sir… I will.”

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Meanwhile, after India’s heartbreaking loss to England in the first Test, Pandya’s place in the squad has come under scrutiny due to his back-to-back dismal performances. Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding has even said that Indian does not need Hardik Pandya as a bowler.

Talking to Sky Sports, Holding said, “Why not pick a batsman (instead)? Pandya got a few runs in the second innings but is he a better batsman than Pujara? I don’t think so, and you don’t need him as a bowler in my eyes.”

On the other hand, former Australian captain Ian Chappell has impressed on the Indian pace-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya and feels the ongoing five-match Test series on the English soil could be a defining series for him.