Mumbai Indians all-rounder Tim David defended skipper Hardik Pandya, saying he has been the “glue” for the team’s batting.
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David says Pandya is the “glue” guy
Pandya, aged 30, has a strike rate of 138.46, scoring 108 runs in four matches while batting at various positions, but his inability to accelerate during crucial phases of the game has been noticeable this season.
Pandya was remarkable on a difficult pitch against Rajasthan, top-scoring with 34 off 21 balls in a low-scoring encounter.
However, his 39 off 33 balls (including three fours and one six) in the last match stood in contrast to the aggressive approach adopted by other MI batters, who contributed in the team’s highest total of 234/5 at home.
“We have had conversations about how we have played. Hardik has been playing a really important job for our team,” David told the media during the Indians’ training session.
“Look at the last match (vs Delhi Capitals). We struggled really hard for momentum towards the back end (against Delhi Capitals). Hardik played a perfect innings that set the platform for myself and Romario (Shepherd) to go on with at the end.”
“We got ourselves to a platform and he got that one ball that he could have hit for six. He hit it high on the bat and missed the middle and he is out (and) that is how the game goes.”
No problem at all
David said the team is not bothered about Pandya’s batting so far, as he remains the “glue” for their batting.
“Like I said at the start, we had Hardik playing a middle order role in the last match,” he said. “He was the glue that held us together and gave us a chance to play with freedom at the back end.”
“Hardik has been phenomenal in the way he has been playing for the team. That is what we need at some point. Sometimes it is me, sometimes it is other guys.”
