Hardik Pandya’s return to cricket after an ankle injury has been underwhelming, with both his bowling and batting performances falling short of expectations. Amidst the controversy surrounding his appointment as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya’s future in the Indian T20 World Cup squad remains uncertain.
Ahead of Mumbai Indians’ match against Lucknow Super Giants, Pandya shared his insights on the “art of finishing” matches, drawing an analogy to food presentation. He emphasized the importance of a strong finish, regardless of how well the game has been played up to that point.
“If you go to a fancy restaurant and they present you something, the taste might be amazing; but if they don’t add the finishing touch (to presentation), it does not add to the charm to the dish, no matter how good it is, because the look of it matters a lot,” said Pandya.
“I think finishing a game is a similar thing. No matter how close you have come, how well you have poised the game, how strong (position) you are in, if you don’t get the finishing kick or finishing touch from your lower-order (batsmen) or finishers, that dish does not look complete.”
Pandya’s comments highlight the crucial role of finishers in cricket, who can turn a close game into a comfortable victory. Mumbai Indians, currently ninth in the IPL standings, will need to rely on their finishers to secure wins in their remaining matches and stay in contention for a playoff spot.
