Disappointed Mahela Jayawardene to take tough decisions in team selection
MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene has expressed his disappointment after their 31-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad while chasing 118 runs, stating that he might have to take tough calls regarding team selection. He also asked Hardik Pandya to improve and learn from every game to develop as a player.
Sachin Tendulkar most definitely got the worst birthday gift ever on April 24, as he saw Mumbai Indians collapsing for a meagre 87-run chasing Sunrisers Hyderabad's target of 118 runs. It was Mumbai’s fifth loss of the season, which has now made winning a necessity in all their remaining games if they want to make it to the playoffs.
With teams like Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings coming into the season all guns firing, MI’s season could well be over already and the defending champions would make a last-ditch attempt to enter the top four. However, coach Jayawardene has hinted that he might even consider dropping big names form the starting eleven if needed.
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"Kieron (Pollard) is struggling a little bit, but we need to trust the system. You need to trust your players, you can't chop and change just because someone doesn't fire. You have to go with that structure, and yes, eventually as a coach, I will have to make some calls which I have to think about. It is too early for me, I need 24 hours to think about what happened today and not be emotional about it," said Jayawardene.
Despite being an exciting Indian prospect, Pandya has failed to stand up to the promises that he showed while breaking into the team. And Jayawardene has pointed out his stagnancy to be a hindrance to his progress.
"Every year you can't bat the same way, if people don't evolve and improve, there is no progress. Young guys like Hardik will learn that and need to work harder, the talent alone will not get you. Learning the game and thinking about the game, that's the part they need to keep learning and especially with good international bowlers coming and doing various things. You have to evolve, otherwise you won't be able to be consistent," Jayawardene added.