IPL 2021: If You Push Too Hard For Hardik Pandya To Bowl, He Might Even Struggle Says Mahela Jayawardene

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said on Friday that his team will not rush Hardik Pandya into bowling in the ongoing IPL 2021 as he could 'struggle' if pushed too hard. He also sa

Jayawardene was of the opinion that Suryakumar Yadav will be back among runs soon if he gets to spend more time in the middle. Yadav has been a point of concern for Mumbai with scores of 3, 5, 8, and 0 in the UAE leg of IPL 2021.

"He's a very important player for us. But like many cricketers in the past who go through such phases, including myself in the 2003 World Cup. I clearly understand what he's going through but, in the nets, he's batting really well. His focus is very good. It's just him spending time out there in the middle, getting that confidence back. So, we will try to manage that situation but it's not a huge concern. But we would love for him to be spending more time out there in the middle."

The 44-year-old conveyed his views on a question from IANS about how he works with players like Yadav and Ishan Kishan, who are struggling to get runs under their belt. "We had to make a couple of changes just to trigger a few things doesn't mean that these players are ignored or they will be left out. So, all those conversations are happening behind the scenes. Make sure they go through their routines, they go through the practices and keep them going. Any given moment will be used against an opposition that we feel they are comfortable as well."

"So it's just a process of, especially at MI, our core group, who's making these kinds of decisions that we will keep doing. But that doesn't mean that the quality of these players have been ignored or anything like that. We make sure that these players are confident and kept in the same balance even though if they are not on the park," concluded Jayawardene.