Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) stand-in skipper Krunal Pandya took time out during his practice session to catch up with a former teammate and current Mumbai Indians (MI) batting coach Kieron Pollard ahead of their all-important clash at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The duo have shared the same dugout for many Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons and it is said that they share a close brotherly bond from their days together with MI. The two all-rounders were key parts of the MI squad that won five Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies and made some great memories together from IPL 2016 to 2021.
After the 2021 season, Krunal was released by MI and LSG secured his services while Pollard played one more season before retiring and taking up the batting coach role with the same team.
Back in 2020, Pollard had said that Krunal is the smarter Pandya. "As I always say there is Hardik Pandya and then there is the smarter Pandya (Krunal). For us the relationship that we have off the field transcends onto the cricket field," Kieron Pollard said in a video shared on Mumbai Indians' Twitter handle.
"We share some of the same sort of sentiments, the kind of people that we are in terms of just wanting to help, and just enjoying the moment and being thankful and grateful for whatever opportunities that are presented to us."
Pollard then praised Hardik for the confidence he shows off on the field. "They (Pandya brothers) are more open and loud, but they are not like that just off the field, when they go on to the cricket field, the flair that they show, Hardik especially, that aspect of it, he goes out, backs himself, he is confident.
Meanwhile, LSG will host MI at the Ekana Stadium in match 63 of the IPL 2023 season. The two teams are still in the race for a playoff spot and the game will be crucial not only for them but also for a few other teams in the mix.
In terms of head-to-head records, the two franchises have only met twice, with LSG winning both meetings. With only a few games remaining in the group stage, both teams will be looking for positive results to secure their place in the playoffs.
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