IPL 2019: Hardik Pandya Has Been Incredible with Both Bat and the Ball Says Mumbai Indians Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene

May 7, 2019 at 10:42 AM

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IPL 2019: Hardik Pandya Has Been Incredible with Both Bat and the Ball Says Mumbai Indians Head Coach Mahela Jayawardene

There is certainly no doubt about the fact that Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya is the next big thing in Indian cricket. He has looked in sensational form especially with the bat in hand and has smashed each and every bowler in the tournament all across the ground. He has taken his hitting ability to a whole new level.

To add to his exceptional hitting prowess, Hardik Pandya also proved his worth with the ball when he was awarded the Man of the Match during the final group game against Kolkata Knight Riders due to his bowling heroics. He bagged the most important wickets of Shubhman Gill and Chris Gill who had got KKR off to a flying start. Hardik pegged them back with back to back wickets of both the set batters.

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene was in all praise for Hardik Pandya and stated that he has been incredible with both bat and the ball. He further added that the all-rounder has adapted very well to the role he has been asked to do for his franchise.

Hardik Pandya | IPL 2019 |
Hardik Pandya. Credit: BCCI

“More than technically it was about his (Hardik’s) temperament, be patient rather than force the issues. With Hardik, it is about holding his shape pretty much (and) he has got a lot of power going forward. It is not just one area where he has improved this year, he is hitting at different pockets, so it is very difficult for bowlers to bowl to him,” said Mahela Jayawardene.

“It is not the easiest job in the world when you are batting at number 6 or 7, coming in and give (score) that extra runs for the team but he has adapted well, and he is still learning. So we are quite happy with the progress he has made over the years.”

Meanwhile, Mahela Jayawardene also heaped praises on Lasith Malinga who was another wrecker in chief for the Mumbai Indians. His wickets tally included the huge wicket of Andre Russell who has been the standout player in the tournament so far. Meanwhile, Malinga also bowled around the wicket which is a rarity.

MI, KKR, IPL 2019, statistical highlights
Mumbai Indians (Image Credit: IPL)

Mahela Jayawardene revealed that it was an area where Malinga needed to improve on and he did that with utmost comfort.  “We have been working on it for a week or so, trying to create a different angle because the batsmen are getting used to him. That’s something we are practising. He was quite comfortable,” Jayawardene said.

“We told him it’s about time (he) tries doing that in a game. He did so. That’s a thing in modern day cricket. Even though you have been great, you still have to find new ways of creating things. It was nice to see him opening up for that idea and getting rewards.”

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