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NEW DELHI: Following Mumbai Indians’ narrow six-run loss to Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2024 opening match, batting coach Kieron Pollard He stressed that the captain Hardik PandyaThe ability to swing the ball was the main factor behind his role as a new-ball bowler in Sunday’s match at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
In a significant move, Hardik took the responsibility of opening the bowling against his former team, despite having potent options like Jasprit Bumrah in the team. However, despite this strategic decision, Hardik conceded 20 runs in his opening two overs, contributing to Mumbai’s early challenges in the game.
“You have to plan and decide what you want to do as a team. Hardik (Pandya) has also been bowling with the new Gujarati ball for the last few years. He spun the new ball and bowled it well, which was nothing new for us. We tried to take advantage of the new ball swinging. When I look at the decision made, there is nothing wrong with it and we move on,” Pollard said in the post-match press conference.
When asked about the logic behind Hardik batting at number seven, who failed to finish Mumbai’s chase of 169 after falling to Umesh Yadav in the final over, Pollard commented: “There is no decision taken on complete autonomy, so we can’t say it’s their decision. As a team, we have plans; we talked about setting entry points for the batsmen. The top order batted deep into the game, and we also had two powerful batsmen at the back. Generally, if you look at it over time, Tim (David) has finished games for us and Hardik has done that over the years.”
“So, at any time, any of them can resurrect the situation. It didn’t happen tonight, so there will probably be a conversation about who should have gone sooner. But all those things are in hindsight and as a team we make decisions, so let’s stop saying, “Hardik made a decision, Hardik did this, Hardik did that.” We are a team. We make decisions collectively as one. ”Pollard added.
Also read: How to watch IPL 2024 live in USA, Canada and MENA region
Pollard also expressed his confidence in the wicketkeeper-batsman. Ishan Kishanability to recover in the next games after his expulsion for a duck in Sunday’s clash.
“He’s an experienced guy within our setup. And we expect great things from Ishan. “He’s in a good place, he’s been practicing well and he’s been pretty decent, so hopefully, in the next two games, we’ll be able to see an outstanding performance from him, and then all of you will continue to praise him when he does that.”
In a surprising move, Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir He made his IPL debut in the match and was ranked at number three in the batting order, which attracted attention among the spectators.
Pollard attributed Mumbai Indians’ successful scouting program to discovering talent like Dhir, who had only featured in five T20 matches before Sunday’s IPL match against Gujarat.
“First of all, congratulations to the scouts and all the guys who work behind the scenes and continue to discover all these talents. It was on the radar. For us, he’s been within our setup for the last few months, going to England and developing. So, it was something we had seen in that guy, and he came out and was very expressive.”
“Again, with the elevated shot, we’re excited about these things, but I thought he had a lot more to offer. The calmness of him, even when we lost that first wicket, and continuing with that intention is a good start for him.”
“But I repeat, this is just the beginning of something. In the end, he scored 20-odd (runs). Let’s give him that space; Let him enjoy the moment. “It was a great occasion for all these guys, but as a franchise, we continue to discover new talent so we can continue on the road.”
Despite the loss, Pollard said goodbye maintaining a positive outlook for the rest of the competition. “Obviously, in the ideal world, that’s what you want (to win). But when you play real cricket against professionals, they will have their plans.”
“For about six overs of that game where you are in control and in the last quarter batting, we let it slip away and ended up on the losing side. So, a couple of things to consider. The tournament is long and the boys come and understand what is needed at this level. “We will do it well.”
(With IANS inputs)
In a significant move, Hardik took the responsibility of opening the bowling against his former team, despite having potent options like Jasprit Bumrah in the team. However, despite this strategic decision, Hardik conceded 20 runs in his opening two overs, contributing to Mumbai’s early challenges in the game.
“You have to plan and decide what you want to do as a team. Hardik (Pandya) has also been bowling with the new Gujarati ball for the last few years. He spun the new ball and bowled it well, which was nothing new for us. We tried to take advantage of the new ball swinging. When I look at the decision made, there is nothing wrong with it and we move on,” Pollard said in the post-match press conference.
When asked about the logic behind Hardik batting at number seven, who failed to finish Mumbai’s chase of 169 after falling to Umesh Yadav in the final over, Pollard commented: “There is no decision taken on complete autonomy, so we can’t say it’s their decision. As a team, we have plans; we talked about setting entry points for the batsmen. The top order batted deep into the game, and we also had two powerful batsmen at the back. Generally, if you look at it over time, Tim (David) has finished games for us and Hardik has done that over the years.”
“So, at any time, any of them can resurrect the situation. It didn’t happen tonight, so there will probably be a conversation about who should have gone sooner. But all those things are in hindsight and as a team we make decisions, so let’s stop saying, “Hardik made a decision, Hardik did this, Hardik did that.” We are a team. We make decisions collectively as one. ”Pollard added.
Also read: How to watch IPL 2024 live in USA, Canada and MENA region
Pollard also expressed his confidence in the wicketkeeper-batsman. Ishan Kishanability to recover in the next games after his expulsion for a duck in Sunday’s clash.
“He’s an experienced guy within our setup. And we expect great things from Ishan. “He’s in a good place, he’s been practicing well and he’s been pretty decent, so hopefully, in the next two games, we’ll be able to see an outstanding performance from him, and then all of you will continue to praise him when he does that.”
In a surprising move, Punjab all-rounder Naman Dhir He made his IPL debut in the match and was ranked at number three in the batting order, which attracted attention among the spectators.
Pollard attributed Mumbai Indians’ successful scouting program to discovering talent like Dhir, who had only featured in five T20 matches before Sunday’s IPL match against Gujarat.
“First of all, congratulations to the scouts and all the guys who work behind the scenes and continue to discover all these talents. It was on the radar. For us, he’s been within our setup for the last few months, going to England and developing. So, it was something we had seen in that guy, and he came out and was very expressive.”
“Again, with the elevated shot, we’re excited about these things, but I thought he had a lot more to offer. The calmness of him, even when we lost that first wicket, and continuing with that intention is a good start for him.”
“But I repeat, this is just the beginning of something. In the end, he scored 20-odd (runs). Let’s give him that space; Let him enjoy the moment. “It was a great occasion for all these guys, but as a franchise, we continue to discover new talent so we can continue on the road.”
Despite the loss, Pollard said goodbye maintaining a positive outlook for the rest of the competition. “Obviously, in the ideal world, that’s what you want (to win). But when you play real cricket against professionals, they will have their plans.”
“For about six overs of that game where you are in control and in the last quarter batting, we let it slip away and ended up on the losing side. So, a couple of things to consider. The tournament is long and the boys come and understand what is needed at this level. “We will do it well.”
(With IANS inputs)
