TOP STORIES
“I’ll sit back and watch everyone sing his praises”: MI batting coach Kieron Pollard backs under fire Pandya

MS Dhoni’s 20-run cameo made a stark difference in CSK’s 20-run victory over Mumbai Indians on Sunday at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Hardik Pandya, who decided to bowl the last over of the innings when MS Dhoni was on strike, got smacked for three beautiful sixes as Dhoni propelled the side to 4-206. Interestingly, those (20) runs proved to be superbly crucial for CSK’s resounding victory.
MI batter Rohit Sharma’s 105-run knock unbeaten remained in vain as MI could rack up 186/6 in (20) overs. Hardik Pandya has been garnering the ire of MI supporters since replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper ahead of the IPL 2024 and this defeat added fuel to the fire. Replying to the query about criticism against Pandya, MI batting coach Kieron Pollard defended under fire Pandya.
"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 continue his skills and to ply his trade,” Pollard said during the press conference.
"To be honest, I am sick and fed up of [we] 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, I think it’s about 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 said.
"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," stated Pollard.
Tags
More News

“It was because of him that I started playing”: Shubman Gill on his father’s message post double hundred
Indian batter Shubman Gill smashed the record-breaking double hundred on day two of the ongoing second Test at Edgbaston against England on Thursday, putting the hosts under tremendous pressure. Gill (269), with his double ton, became the first Indian batter to hit most runs outside the Indian subcontinent, shattering Sachin Tendulkar's record of 241. However, he missed out...

India's white-ball tour of Bangladesh remains in uncertainty
India’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh, involving three ODIs and as many T20Is, is reportedly set to be called off due to political hostility between both nations. India were scheduled to kick off their tour of Bangladesh with three ODIs on August 17, 20 and 23, respectively. While T20I matches were to be played on August ...

SL vs BAN 2nd ODI: Struggling Bangladesh confront fired-up Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will once again be against each other as they prepare to cross paths in the second ODI, set to be played on Saturday (July 5) at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Sri Lanka, having romped to a solid 77-run win in the first game on the back of a commanding batting display put on by Charith Asalanka, sc...

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt to miss the 3rd T20I vs India
England’s regular skipper, Nat Sciver-Brunt, has been ruled out of the third T20I against India due to a left groin injury. In her absence, veteran batter Tammy Beaumont will lead the side in the third match, set to be played on Friday at The Oval. According to ECB, “Results of the scan will determine whether Sciver-Brunt is required to miss any mor...

England in a mess after Gill launches India to a mountainous 587
Team India have stamped their authority in the ongoing second Test against England at Edgbaston with a commanding performance across both batting and bowling departments. After putting out a colossal first-innings total of 587 runs, India tightened their grip on the match by reducing England to 77/3 by stumps on Day Two (Thursday).
The star of t...