After Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya faced scrutiny for his performance in the IPL match against Chennai Super Kings, the team’s batting coach and former all-rounder Kieron Pollard came out in defence of the captain. “I am sick and fed up of people pinpointing particular individuals for the team’s losses,” Pollard said as he urged fans not to nitpick struggling captain Hardik Pandya after MI lost to CSK by 20 runs in the match.
In the Sunday’s CSK vs MI IPL match, MS Dhoni took 26 runs off Pandya’s final over with the help of three consecutive sixes, CSK won the match. Meanwhile, Pandya finished the match with figures of 2 for 43 from his four overs and had a tough time batting against CSK as he merely managed two runs off six balls at a crucial stage in the match.
Pollard further showed confidence in Pandya and said the captain has been great around the group. He said that in a game like cricket, there are both good and bad days but it is even more important to note whether someone is putting effort to improve or not. He also said that there are possibilities of Pandya being picked for the T20 World Cup.
The match also witnessed booing of Pandya who struggled with both bat and ball and also received criticism from former England captain Kevin Pietersen who claimed that the MI skipper has been ‘smiling too much’. “He can bat, he can bowl, he can field. He has an X factor about him. I hope very well deep down within my heart that when he comes out on top, I’ll sit back and I’ll watch everyone sing his praises,” Pollard said.
Pollard further pointed that he can see Pandya evolving but as individuals everyone wants to see certain things but sometimes it is not required by the game.
(with inputs from PTI)