NEW DELHI: Mumbai Indians' all-rounder
Tim David
came to the defense of skipper
Hardik Pandya
's scoring rate in the ongoing IPL, emphasizing his role as the "glue" holding the batting together for the five-time champions.
Despite Pandya scoring at a rate of 138.46, accumulating 108 runs in four matches while batting at various positions, there have been observations of his inability to accelerate the innings, particularly in the middle and lower order this season.
In the opening match against his former team, the Gujarat Titans, Pandya faced pressure and managed only an 11-run innings off four balls in a challenging chase.
Similarly, in the subsequent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the MI skipper could only muster a 24-run innings off 20 balls batting at No. 5, chasing a daunting target of 278.
Pandya showcased his prowess on a challenging pitch against Rajasthan Royals, leading the scoring with a commendable 34 off 21 balls in a low-scoring encounter.
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However, his innings of 39 runs off 33 balls (including 3 fours and 1 six) stood in stark contrast to the aggressive approach of other Mumbai Indians batters in the last match. Despite this, the team managed to achieve its highest total of 234/5 at home.
"We have had conversations about how we have played. Hardik has been playing a really important job for our team," David told the media during Mumbai Indians' training session at the Wankhede Stadium on the eve of their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
"Look at the last match (vs Delhi Capitals), we struggled really hard for momentum towards the back end (against Delhi Capitals). Hardik played a perfect innings that set the platform for myself and Romario (Shepherd) to go on with at the end," David added.
"We got ourselves to a platform and he got that one ball that he could have hit for six. He hit it high on the bat and missed the middle and he is out (and) that is how the game goes."
The Australian all-rounder said having an extra batter in the line-up with the impact player rule in place could allow some batting line-ups like Kolkata Knight Riders to go boom or bust, but Pandya holds the innings together.
"With the extra freedom of having an extra batter, there is maybe a little bit less responsibility. Some people are playing with a little bit more freedom or throwing caution to the wind. It goes both ways. KKR, the way they have been playing, they have been scoring a lot of runs.
"The other night, they were playing the same way (against Chennai Super Kings). They were looking to go big or bust a bit. They fall in a heap in the middle order."
"Like I said at the start, we had Hardik playing a middle order role in the last match. He was the glue that held us together and gave us a chance to play with freedom at the back end," he added.
"Hardik has been phenomenal in the way he has been playing for the team. That is what we need at some point. Sometimes it is me, sometimes it is other guys."
David said the team has absolutely no concerns with the way their skipper has batted so far.
"You could go look at the first game where Hardik hit two boundaries in his first two balls. (We have) absolutely full faith in him. We know his power; we know how good he is. When he gets into that situation, he is going to win games for us," David added.
(With PTI inputs)
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