NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians' batting coach and former all-rounder Kieron Pollard has come out in staunch defense of Hardik Pandya.
Following Mumbai Indians' IPL match against Chennai Super Kings where Pandya faced significant scrutiny for his performance, Pollard rallied behind his teammate, asserting that cricket is a team game and calling for support rather than criticism.
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"I am sick and fed up looking to pinpoint individuals; cricket is a team game at the end of the day," Pollard stated after the match. He expressed confidence in Pandya's abilities and highlighted his crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup for India.
"This is an individual that is going to represent the country in less than six weeks' time, and you all are going to cheer him on and want him to do well when the time comes," Pollard added.
Acknowledging Pandya's recent struggles and the public's expectations, Pollard emphasized the importance of evolution in a player's career.
"As an individual you have to evolve," he remarked. "The older you get, accountability and responsibility kick in."
Despite Pandya's recent challenges, Pollard remains optimistic about his future contributions, citing his hard work and commitment to improvement.
1/10:CSK beat MI despite Rohit Sharma's ton
AP
2/10:CSK beat MI
<p>Rohit Sharma hit an unbeaten 105 but his Mumbai Indians fell 20 runs short as they tried to chase down a big target set by holders Chennai Super Kings on Sunday. </p>AFP
3/10:Rohit Sharma
<p>Set 207 for victory, five-time winners Mumbai finished on 186/6 even though Rohit raised his ton in 61 balls at his home ground in Wankhede Stadium. </p>IANS
4/10:CSK
<p>Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and the in-form Shivam Dube powered Chennai, who won their fifth title last year, to 206/4. </p>AFP
5/10:MS Dhoni
<p>Gaikwad hit 69 and Dube smashed an unbeaten 66 before warhorse MS Dhoni smashed three successive sixes in the 20th over to take Chennai past 200. </p>AP
6/10:Vintage Dhoni
<p>Dhoni came in to bat with four balls left and scored 20 smashing Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya for three sixes and finished with a two to end a 26-run over. </p>AFP
7/10:Matheesha Pathirana
<p>Sri Lanka quick Matheesha Pathirana then took four wickets to push Mumbai to their fourth loss of the season. </p>PTI
8/10:CSK end on a high
<p>Gaikwad put on 90 runs with Dube before falling to Pandya, but Dube and then Dhoni's cameo ensured Chennai finished strongly. </p>AP
9/10:MI openers
<p>Mumbai started well with Rohit and Ishan Kishan putting on 70 runs for the first wicket before Pathirana hit back. </p>AFP
10/10:Pathirana on fire
<p>Pathirana sent back Kishan and then Suryakumar Yadav, for his second duck this season, in the space of three balls. </p>AFP"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," Pollard noted.
Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, Pollard anticipates a shift in public sentiment towards Pandya.
"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," he said.
