'I feel this reaction was over the top' - Parthiv Patel on Krunal Pandya's send off to Kieron Pollard

Former Indian batter Parthiv Patel has said that Krunal Pandya‘s send off to Kieron Pollard was above the line despite them being good friends. Pandya picked up the wicket of Pollard in the final over of the game between LSG and MI and it ended the hopes for the latter to win their first game of the season. The Rohit Sharma-led side has been on an eight-game losing streak in IPL 2022 and nothing has gone their way so far in this edition.

Pollard was back on his way to the dressing room when Krunal jumped on him from the back and hugged him from behind after dismissing him. However, the commentators and experts weren’t impressed with Krunal’s behaviour despite his close friendship with Pollard.

It’s important to give people space at that point: Parthiv Patel

Patel mentioned that the reaction from Pandya was risky and Pandya should have thought about Mumbai’s form this season before doing that. He also added that Pollard should have been given space as he hasn’t been at best in the tournament so far.

“Krunal and Pollard are very good friends, but things are different on the field. Pollard has not been scoring runs. Also, Mumbai have also been on a losing spree. It’s important to give people space at that point. In the dressing room, you can have as much banter as you want for the whole year. But, I feel this reaction was over the top,” Patel told Cricbuzz.

Meanwhile, former Indian fast bowler RP Singh also felt that Pandya should have avoided it since Pollard himself has been going through a dip in form.

“Nobody likes losing. When a player is not doing well, one should avoid such things. You don’t know what emotions he is going through. What if he (Pollard) had turned back and reacted. He was walking back disappointed at being unable to win matches and that reaction (from Krunal) was definitely too much,” RP Singh said.