All-rounder Krunal Pandya made the headlines following Lucknow Super Giants’ massive 36-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the latter’s home ground, Wankhede Stadium, on Sunday night.
The left-arm orthodox spinner picked three wickets in the game for 19 runs. However, it wasn’t his bowling that got him the headlines, but his send-off to his former MI teammate Kieron Pollard that attracted plenty of flak to the southpaw.
A kiss on the head by Krunal Pandya to Kieron Pollard. pic.twitter.com/gE2HOyq9ud
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 24, 2022
With 39 runs required off the last over, bowled by Krunal, Pollard took an aimless swipe and was caught in the deep. As Pollard was dismissed and started walking off towards the MI dugout, Krunal jumped behind the West Indian and planted a kiss on the back of his head!
Although this was a friendly send-off to his former MI teammate and his good friend, it could really have turned ugly had Pollard reacted to it. The West Indian didn’t turn around and continued to walk.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was totally displeased by this act of the Baroda all-rounder. Speaking in the commentary, Gavaskar said: “Oh bad, bad gesture by Krunal Pandya. I can bet Pollard hasn’t liked this a bit. Krunal could have been in trouble. Friendships should be kept beyond the boundary. Krunal should not have done this.”
Speaking after the match, Krunal said that he was relieved to get Pollard’s wicket and now they were even as earlier in LSG’s innings, the West Indian had dismissed Krunal.
“I was so thankful that I got his (Pollard) 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,” Krunal said.
Though some found it a funny joke between two friends, many fans felt that Krunal shouldn’t have given that kind of a send-off as it could have elicited any kind of reaction from Pollard.
So far, there hasn’t been any word from the BCCI or the IPL, however, Pandya should be careful of such gestures in the future because what he did was a provoking action which could have become a bad incident had Pollard retaliated.
