"Hardik Niggle Pandya" - Fans troll Mumbai Indians star for missing another game in UAE leg of IPL 2021
The Kolkata Knight Riders and the Mumbai Indians face off in the 34th game of the IPL 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today. After missing out on the previous contest against CSK, Rohit Sharma is back to lead the Mumbai Indians in this game.
KKR skipper Eoin Morgan won the toss and opted to field first. They did not make any changes to their side which won comprehensively against the RCB. Hardik Pandya continues to be on the sidelines for the Mumbai Indians.
Here are the playing XI's for the 34th IPL 2021 match.
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Saurabh Tiwary, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Adam Milne, Rahul Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI: Venkatesh Iyer, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakravarthy, Prasidh Krishna
Also Check: IPL Live Score | IPL Points Table | IPL Schedule
Fans were delighted to see Rohit Sharma back on the field but were disappointed to see Hardik Pandya miss out again. They took to Twitter to express their views on the matter.
Here are some of the best reactions:
Mumbai Indians will unleash Hardik pandya in qualifiers directly as X factor!
#MIvKKR #KKRvsMI
@bhogleharsha Hardik Pandya’s fitness is a huge concern for team India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Indian selectors must have a backup option in the squad in case Hardik Pandya remains unfit.
But who are the options ??
#MIvKKR #IPL2021
#T20WC2021 #HardikPandya
What exactly is going on with Hardik Pandya ??
#MIvKKR
#IPL2021
Hitman is back 👌
#MIvKKR #ValimaiGlimpse https://t.co/iAhLzZHjog
no hardik today
but king is ready to play i guess @ImRo45 https://t.co/usATCoPifw
Still no Hardik Pandya, BCCI better prepare Shardul for the role.
Hardik Pandya's absence will be more worrisome to INDIA than Mumbai Indians. Remember, he's one of the 5 pacers that India has picked for the T20WC and he'll be required to bowl at some point in time.
#IPL2021
Nothing just Hardik Pandya in Second Phase of #IPL2021
#MIvKKR https://t.co/1gQrBXIUyV
@mipaltan @ImRo45 After @ImRo45 is in team @KKRiders like 😂😂
@mipaltan https://t.co/tSgIvbDi8v
If we start badly, doesn't mean we have lost, just keep hanging in the game: Brendon McCullum's advice to KKR players
Ahead of the all-important clash against the Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi, KKR coach Brendon McCullum gave a pep talk to his side and advised them not to lose hope even after a bad start. He urged the players to keep fighting until the last moment.
In a video uploaded by KKR on their official Instagram handle Brendon McCullum told the players:
"What I am trying to get across here is that this might be a game but these games which go on with games out of the field, right? If we start well, great but doesn't mean we are in the game. We still have to keep making decisions. We have to protect our leads at times."
He added:
"If we start badly, doesn't mean we have lost the game. We hang in the game. We just keep hanging in the game and rely on guys who are out of the field to help us with that cohesion, that camaraderie and trusting one another while we are out there to make the plays so that we get an opportunity. If you dissect what I have said in a cricket field, I think we are pretty good to go."
KKR has had a very bad head-to-head record against Mumbai Indians so far in the IPL. It will be interesting to see what transpires in the latest chapter of this lop-sided rivalry today.