IPL 2018: Young Players Like Hardik Needs to Work Harder - Mahela Jayawardene

Reigning champions Mumbai Indians’ (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene believes a youngster like Hardik Pandya needs to work on their game respectively.

The former Sri Lankan skipper added that the talent alone is not going to get the job done.

Meanwhile, MI continues their disappointing show in the ongoing eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Rohit Sharma-led team could not chase a paltry score of 118 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at their home venue; Wankhede.

Furthermore, the host side Indians went on to lose the game by a big margin of 31 runs.

It was a disappointing show from the bat by MI.

In addition, the chief coach Jayawardene is highly disappointed by the team’s last night (April 24) performance.

The defending champions made a mess of a mundane target and they have only their batting line-up to blame after spectacular bowling show.

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“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,” Jayawardene said at the post-match press conference.

Mumbai Indians are placed in the bottom half of the points table.

The former Sri Lankan flamboyant right-hander said that the batsmen need to keep evolving their game.

Meanwhile, Indians batting line-up failed miserably against potent SRH bowling line-up.

“Leading 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. Disappointed at the loss,” Mahela added.

Jayawardene added that the team played in a conservative manner with the bat. The Men in Blue kept losing wickets at regular wickets and that cost them the match.

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“We just probably played the wicket thinking there is going to be demons out there. We just have to knock it around.We did not take any responsibility, so that part is quite disappointing. The dew came in as we expected after 10 overs, so no one took responsibility that is quite sad,” Jayawardene said.

Meanwhile, MI’s first five matches were closely-fought contests. Those matches could have gone either way.

Their performance against Hyderabad was really disappointing. Even after getting the opposition bundled out for an under par score of 118, defending champions made their job difficult with the bat.

However, they will next lock horns with arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on April 28.

Similarly, while laying under the guidance of Mahela Jayawardene, the side will aim to make a comeback into the ongoing season.

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