The Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach, Kieron Pollard, strongly defended captain Hardik Pandya. He lashed out at Pandya’s critics after their 20-run loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This happened at the Wankhede Stadium on April 14th..
Having elected to field, Mumbai permitted a colossal 206/4 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya’s final over proved costly, leaking 26 runs. Subsequently, during Mumbai’s batting innings, Hardik scored a paltry 2 runs off 6 balls. This poor performance drew jeers from the home crowd.
All of this overshadowed his two wickets earlier in the match, resulting in MI’s fourth defeat in six games, dropping them to ninth place on the points table.
Fans and experts continued to criticize Hardik’s batting, bowling, and captaincy, which irritated Pollard.
At the post-match press conference, Pollard stated:
“I hope very well deep down within my heart that when he comes out on top, I’ll sit back and watch everyone sing his praises. I don’t know if it will affect his confidence. He is a confident guy; he has been great around the group. In cricket, you have good days and bad days and I am seeing an individual who is working bloody hard to improve his skills and plying his trade.”
Kieron Pollard
Hardik hasn’t been in great form with the bat or the ball this season, averaging less than 27 with the willow and 44 with the ball at an economy rate of 12.
His off-season return to MI from GT and promotion to skipper have not gone over well with the franchise’s supporters, resulting in hostile responses from spectators across India.
“This is an individual that is going to represent the country in less than six weeks’ time” – Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard also reminded Indian supporters that Hardik Pandya is playing for the country and carrying their dreams into the forthcoming T20 World Cup in June.
At 30, Hardik oversaw the squad as skipper when Rohit Sharma missed the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, an injury cut short his ODI World Cup stint last year.
“I am sick and tired, fed up of [us] looking to pinpoint individuals; cricket is a team game at the end of the day. This is an individual that is going to represent the country in less than six weeks’ time, and all are going to cheer him and want him to do well. So high time we try to encourage and stop nitpicking and see if we can get the best out of one of the great all-rounders India has produced. He can bat, bowl and field, and has an X-factor about him.”
Kieron Pollard
The 2024 IPL season is halfway through. Hardik and MI have a record of 2 wins and 4 losses after 6 matches. They urgently require a change in fortunes.
Their next match is against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 18th, Thursday.