19 October,2021 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | ANI
Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard. Picture/ PTI
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has called his Mumbai Indians (MI) teammate Kieron Pollard a 'Gujarati' by heart and said the West Indies limited-overs skipper functions like an 'Indian guy'.
"We call him grandpa. He is from West Indies but he is actually a Gujarati at heart. He literally functions like an Indian: a guy who believes in property, a guy who believes in investments, a guy who believes: instead of buying a car, I'll buy property because it will grow, Ek rupiah Nahin waste karoonga [I won't waste a rupee]," said Hardik Pandya to ESPNcricinfo.
"How Krunal is for me, Pollard is the same. He has been part of the international circuit for a long time. I don't sometimes understand how it functions, but he has taught me to let it be. I am very upfront if I don't like something. There are lots of times when he has calmed me down, lots of times when he has given me life lessons," Hardik Pandya added.
Pandya further said that Kieron Pollard is not only a friend but a 'family' now.
ALSO READ
WATCH VIDEO: Hardik Pandya's bowling heroics in SMAT match against Bengal
No Hardik, but Baroda shatters records with highest score in T20 history
Hardik Pandya: 'MI have found the right mix'
Hardik: 'We knew it was difficult to get Ishan back from auction'
Hardik Pandya's rich vein in form continues in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
"The relationship started because of Krunal. In 2015 at the IPL I did not speak to Polly. He was in the next room but it was just "Hi Polly, bye Polly." In 2016, when Krunal came in, I started talking to Polly. Polly is now family, not just a friend, not just a team-mate," he said.
India will open its T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai. After the upcoming T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli will be stepping down as the side's captain in the shortest format.
Also View: PHOTOS: '10'tastic! The top ten cricketers who were the stars of IPL 2021
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for the dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the contents in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever