NEWS
Follow UsYet again, Hardik Pandya came under scrutiny, after he took it upon himself to bowl the last over of the innings against Chennai Super Kings on April 14 (Sunday). The move didn’t pay off for the five-time IPL winners, with the all-rounder conceding 26 runs in the final over, out of which he gave away 20 runs to MS Dhoni in just four balls.
Pandya finished his bowling with figures of 2/43 in three overs, going at 14.33 an over. If that wasn’t enough, his batting at a crucial juncture (2 off 6) did not inspire too much confidence, especially with heavy hitters such as Tim David and Romario Shepherd still waiting in the shed.
But Mumbai Indians’ batting coach Kieron Pollard was having none of that criticism, stating that Hardik is an individual who is working ‘bloody hard’ to improve his skills.
"I don't know if it will affect his confidence. He is a confident guy, he has been great around the group," Pollard said in the post-match press conference.
“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,” he added.
Time and again this season, Mumbai Indians’ losses have been attributed to Pandya’s captaincy and individuality. Pollard wanted everyone to put a stop to it, stating that Pandya was going to represent the national team in less than six weeks time.
"I am 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,” Pollard said in angst.
“So high time we try to encourage and stop nitpicking and see if we can get the best out of one of the great allrounders India has produced. He can bat, bowl and field, and has a X-factor about him,” he added.
But deep within, Pollard also reckoned that he would love to see the younger Pandya come out on top, and watch the world sing his ‘praises’.
"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."
It has become a theme that the bowlers have targetted Pandya with the short deliveries this season, with three of his six dismissals in that region. However, Pollard stated that the all-rounder is still evolving in his methods, and it is only a matter of time before he can put his short ball troubles past him.
"As an individual you have to evolve (Pandya’s batting methods). When you are young, you have the youthful exuberance. You go out and do things in a certain manner. The older you get, accountability and responsibility kick in.
"What I am seeing is the guy is evolving. We, as individuals, want to see certain things but sometimes the game does not demand certain things and [players] are going to make mistakes as you go along, as we all have done. The individual has put in the work and hard work pays off. So, all of us will be singing his praises when time comes."
