Hardik Pandya on WI skipper Kieron Pollard: ‘He is a Gujarati at heart’
Hardik and Pollard
Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard are not only Mumbai Indians (MI) teammates but also good friends off the field.
Hardik: Learnt a lot from Pollard
While Pollard has been at MI since 2010, Hardik joined the side five years later. The Indian all-rounder has said that he has learnt a lot about international cricket from the West Indies limited-overs skipper.
Hardik: Pollard is like a brother to me
“How Krunal is for me, Pollard is the same. He has been part of the international circuit for a long time. I don't sometimes understand how it functions, but he has taught me to let it be. I am very upfront if I don't like something. There are lots of times when he has calmed me down, lots of times when he has given me life lessons,” Hardik told ESPNCricinfo in an interview.
‘Gujarati by heart’
“We call him grandpa. He is from West Indies but he is actually a Gujarati at heart. He literally functions like an Indian: a guy who believes in property, a guy who believes in investments, a guy who believes: instead of buying a car, I'll buy property because it will grow, Ek rupiah Nahin waste karoonga [I won't waste a rupee],” added Hardik.
Hardik: Pollard is ‘family’ now
“The relationship started because of Krunal. In 2015 at the IPL I did not speak to Polly. He was in the next room but it was just, ‘Hi Polly, bye Polly’. In 2016, when Krunal came in, I started talking to Polly. Polly is now family, not just a friend, not just a team-mate,” said Hardik.
T20 World Cup
After a forgettable IPL season with MI, where Mumbai failed to make it to the playoffs, Hardik and Pollard now will be in action at the T20 World Cup for their respective countries. India will hope to see Hardik come good with his all-round skills, while Windies will also hope the same with their skipper Pollard;