We didn’t aim for 192, but we were lucky enough that the big man (Pollard) has done it again” – Hardik

After a heartbreaking superover loss against RCB, the Pandya brothers were instrumental in staging a comeback in Abu Dhabi with a resounding win against Kings XI Punjab. Hardik set up a breathtaking finish along with Kieron Pollard, whereas Krunal choked the opposition’s chase with a particularly miserly spell – with a spectacular five-run over bowling to the explosive pair of Pooran and Maxwell.

“The number of times Pollard and I have done this, I’ve always enjoyed it. It was a clear message for me that I had to go and get some big runs at the end and get to a total that the Kings XI (would) find difficult. We didn’t aim for 192, but we were lucky enough that the big man (Pollard) has done it again.”

Asked about their plan of action when faced with an off-spinner for the 20th over, Hardik Pandya was candid in his response, terming the prospect of facing an off-spinner in the slog “mouth-watering”: “It was very intense. Me and Pollard thought, whoever misses has to stand at the non-striker’s end and watch, and that was me today. I missed two balls.”

As for Pandya senior, he was given the fourth over, when the momentum was with the Kings XI, as Pooran went bonkers, but he bowled a tight over to build further pressure in the chase, conceding just five runs in the over.

“I just made sure I bowled according to the field and I was very determined as well,” said Krunal. “I thought if I bowled well here, we can get back into the game.”

Krunal also said that it was a testament to the skill in modern batting that even a spinner like him is forced to bowl yorkers: “The batting skill is so high, and the wickets are also batting-friendly, so you have to find your own way to ensure that the batsman doesn’t go after you. At the end of the day if you execute your plans well, it’s very satisfying.”

In the end, Hardik mentioned that in his six years with the Mumbai Indians, someone invariably steps up to the challenge and produces a “wonder” or a miracle that takes them over the line. With their mainstays starting to fire, particularly Bumrah’s return to form, perhaps Mumbai will revive themselves as worthy defending champions after all.