Was Hardik Pandya smoking in Sakshi Dhoni's birthday party?
What's the story
Indian cricket team all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has been out of action since mid September following an injury suffered in the Asia Cup 2018. The star player was one of the high-profile guests in Sakshi Dhoni's birthday party. Sakshi celebrated her birthday on November 19. She took to Instagram to share videos and in one of them Hardik appears to have been smoking.
Sakshi birthday
Dhoni parties with friends to celebrate Sakshi's birthday
Pandya is undoubtedly one of the fittest members of the Indian team. He has an athletic physique. The player is also known for his charisma on and off the field. He was in designer clothes to grace the occasion of Sakshi's 30th birthday bash. MS Dhoni, who was left out of India's T20I squad versus Australia, was seen partying with some friends including Pandya.
Indian cricket
Indian cricketers wary of smoking and drinking
Indian cricketers have hardly been seen drinking alcohol or smoking as fitness is considered one the prime features these days, given the amount of cricket, Men in Blue play. Further, public image is another reason of staying away from such habits. But going by the video, Hardik, in the background, can be seen smoking a cigarette.
Information
Instances when cricketers smoked during playing days
According to reports, New Zealand skipper Baz revealed back in 2015 that he used to smoke in the dressing room toilet whenever a match would go close. He did it during the Kiwis win over South Africa in the semis of the World Cup 2015.
Fitness
Pandya eyeing a comeback in ODIs versus Australia
One hopes Pandya will be fit for the ODI series against Australia in 2019. He will have to undergo the Yo-Yo test to get back into the side. He wasn't named in both the T20I and Test squads. Fans have not appreciated this loose cannon behavior by Pandya. But let's hope this incident does not harm his chances of making a return.