INDIA – Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar is not impressed with Krunal Pandya’s send-off to old friend Kieron Pollard during the IPL 2022 match between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. After dismissing the West Indies star in the final over of the game, the senior Pandya, who was Pollard’s MI teammate between 2016 and 2021, jumped on his back and planted a kiss on the dasher’s head.
Notably, Pollard, who has been short of runs lately, was dismissed for a 20-ball 19 as MI lost the contest by 36 runs. The former West Indies captain was evidently disappointed while walking back and he didn’t seem much amuse with Krunal’s actions either. Speaking on the matter, Gavaskar said the LSG all-rounder was lucky that Pollard didn’t react and continued to walk off.
“And I know he is not going to like it, No! No! However good friends you are, that has to happen once the game is over. He is lucky that Pollard didn’t do anything,” said Gavaskar while commentating on Star Sports. Former India players Parthiv Patel and RP Singh are also of the opinion that Krunal’s celebrations were a “little over the top”.
“Nobody likes losing. When a player is not doing well, one should avoid such things. You don’t know what emotions he is going through. What if he (Pollard) had turned back and reacted. He was walking back disappointed at being unable to win matches and that reaction was definitely too much,” RP Singh stated.
Parthiv, who was a part of the same panel, said: “Krunal and Pollard are very good friends, but things are a little different on the field. The emotions are different. Pollard has not been scoring runs. Also, Mumbai have also been losing. It’s important to give people space at that point. In the dressing room, you can have as much banter as you want for the whole year. But, I feel this reaction was a little over the top”.
