LSG vs MI: Krunal Pandya catches up with ex-Mumbai teammate Kieron Pollard ahead of must-win IPL 2023 clash

By India Today Sports Desk: After spending several seasons in the same dugout, Lucknow Super Giants stand-in skipper Krunal Pandya and Mumbai Indians batting coach Kieron Pollard caught up with each other in different jerseys at the nets session ahead of the IPL clash between MI and LSG at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Both Krunal and Pollard share a close brotherly bond from their Mumbai Indians days. The all-rounder duo won five Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies and made some great memories together from IPL 2016 to IPL 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 MI squad.

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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 is presented to us.”

Pollard then praised Hardik for the confidence he shows off and 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.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will host the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow in match No. 63 of the Indian Premier League 2023 season. The two teams are competing 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.