Watch: Krunal Pandya was seen pecking Kieron Pollard’s head after getting his wicket in an unusual post-dismissal send-off during an IPL 2022 clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians.
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Krunal and Pollard were Mumbai Indians teammates from 2016 till 2021, after which Krunal moved to LSG for the 2022 season. The West Indies big-hitter has always been vocal about his special relationship with the Pandya brothers, including Hardik Pandya.
Walking out to bat with MI slumping to 67-4, and chasing 169 for their first win of the tournament, Pollard struggled for rhythm in his innings, only hitting one six. The No.6 was dismissed for 19 on the 20th ball that he faced, off Krunal, lofting one down the ground into the hands of the fielder at long-on. Just as Pollard was heading towards the pavilion, Krunal jumped on his back and planted a kiss on his head, with Pollard showing little emotion and continuing his walk.
After LSG’s win, Krunal spoke about the incident, saying, “I was so thankful that I got his wicket otherwise he would have eaten my brain throughout my life because he got me out and now that it’s 1-1 at least he will speak less.”
Pollard had earlier dismissed Krunal in the game, getting his wicket with an off-cutter that was swiped away across the line.
Krunal’s celebration, though, didn’t go down well with everyone, with some suggesting that he was provoking Pollard.
Speaking on commentary when the incident transpired, Sunil Gavaskar said, “I know he’s not going to like it. No, no, however good friends you are.”
Parthiv Patel, speaking on Cricbuzz, said that off-field friendships have no place on the field, especially if one side is not having the greatest run. He said: “They are friends, very good friends. I have seen how their friendship is. But, it’s different on the ground, you don’t do these things on the ground because the emotions are different. Pollard is playing, the team is losing, and he himself isn’t making runs. At that time, it’s very important to give them space. You can have banter in the dressing room, you can keep telling them for a whole year that ‘I dismissed you’, but it’s important to understand emotions on the ground. I feel that this reaction – you could have laughed or anything else – but this type of reaction was over the top.”
RP Singh too echoed similar sentiments. “No one likes losing, no matter which player. When someone is losing, then these things should be avoided. No one knows the emotions of the player, and if, in the heat of the moment, he turns around and reacts, then? He [Pollard] didn’t do it, but if he had, whose fault would it have been? The poor guy was out and was going back, he himself is angry with himself that he’s not able to win MI games. It was over the top.”
