“I think one of the things that stands out the most is they’re great partners. They seem to get along really well. Obviously, that relationship helps a lot playing together. The best guidance often comes from your teammates. From the guys in the team. You can be a coach, but the best guidance comes from your teammates. This is an old-fashioned way of learning. But it’s probably the best and strongest. “For example, while in the Indian team, Anil Kumble’s impact on our spin bowlers was huge. Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman’s impact on other batsmen was huge. I think as a coach you need to create that environment so players can learn from each other. I think that happened to Polly as well. But I think they enjoyed each other’s company. They make great companions. He learned a lot from Kieran Pollard,” Wright said.During many interactions, Pandya consistently referred to Pollard as his brother from another mother. The connection between the two remains special, and Pandya insists that his Caribbean view of life continues to appeal to Pollard. When Hardik’s brother Krunal came into the MI squad, the trio hit it off immediately and together became the core of the franchise for years – helping them win titles and dominate the IPL. They are, in Pollard’s words, the “real engine room” of the device. When it comes to Caribbean prospects, Pollard doesn’t limit himself to music and style.“We tend to associate it with Caribbean and West Indian music and styles. But we also have this pride and passion for performing. Once you don’t perform, people will look at what you are doing. That’s exactly what it’s like from Hardik’s point of view. This is exactly what happened to him. He dresses well, he’s there, he likes himself, he likes to look good. He has that talent. People often try to use this against him. Because they don’t have that confidence. This is what happened. So there are things that resonate with me,” Pollard said.It was more than just fun and games as Pollard and Pandya spent countless late nights and early mornings in the hotel corridors. It’s about life, cricket and everything that happens in between. Throughout his active playing career, Pollard was always known for shutting out the outside noise and speaking his mind. It’s an art that takes years to master, but based on Pollard’s words of wisdom, Pandya had an early training camp that prepared him for the myriad battles in life and cricket.“I think it’s just one of those conversations and it’s a conversation about understanding who has power over you and who you allow to have power over you. If you know you’re doing everything you need to do on the cricket field and it doesn’t happen, that’s okay because it’s a game, it’s a sport and you feel a lot, right? But if you allow people who can’t even pick up a bat or ball, or who have opinions just because they watch the data, to influence you, that’s where the problem lies.

Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya watches the match during warm-ups at the Narendra Modi Stadium. (Getty Images)

“My cricket will speak for me. If my cricket doesn’t speak for me today, that’s it. I’ll let it speak for me tomorrow.” That’s my mindset and that’s the mindset that we’re having this conversation with. Because people tend to say certain things, but we can control what we can control. We don’t live it. But when you start living mentally, you become stronger,” Pollard revealed of his conversations with Pandya to mentally prepare him for the fight.Over the years, Pandya has been labeled fragile and injury-prone, with little known about the top all-rounder’s relentless work. He was not just a piecemeal cricketer; He is a freak who can break into any line-up purely by batting or bowling. After career-threatening injuries and surgeries, Pandya continues to go strong and has played 131 T20Is and 94 ODIs for the national team. He’s not done yet!“He will be told a lot of things. He will not be able to bowl anymore. He is not physically strong. Who are you to say something like this? If you are not an expert. So when you realize these are just words, and people may be using words to set an agenda. Just channel your energy and say, okay. If you tell me I can’t, I’ll tell you I can. You know, that’s exactly what he did for years. Like I said, it wasn’t easy for him. There is such a person. and lives in India. The media will target this. “That’s the whole consequence of this lifestyle. But you have to be strong enough to overcome it. I believe he is strong enough to overcome it. Who says they won’t have more? Because life is like, life is what life is about. But he has, he now has the template to overcome it. That’s it,” Pollard said.

Hardik Pandya and partner Mahieka Sharma.

Gorgeous car packaging, expensive watches and an enviable lifestyle. While Pollard wouldn’t have bought most things, especially expensive watches, Pandya did, but as a “brother from another mother” he felt immense pride in seeing the story unfold up close. Pollard understands the feeling of winning the World Cup for his country, having given more than 100 per cent during the game and preparations, but wants Pandya to be remembered for “everything he did on the pitch”“I just hope and pray that one day we can continue to remember Hardik Pandya for what he did on the cricket field. Rather than expensive watches and cars and so on, because those tend to come first. Because cricket often comes second in the media world. For what he’s done from a cricket and white-ball cricket perspective, especially after where he comes from, and the support he’s gotten from his family – we must never forget that. The journey is extraordinary and could last a long time,” Pollard said.Before hanging up the phone, Pollard remembered praising his red-ball performance for India. The current perception is that Pandya does not want to play Test cricket for India anymore, but like Atum, he is determined to rise from the troubled waters.