Hardik Pandya issued a heartfelt apology to his Mumbai Indians (MI) team-mate Ishan Kishan after a throw by him hit the young keeper-batsman in the eye during the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Tuesday.
Kishan had to be taken off the field after a long throw from Pandya hit him flush on the eye and knocked him to the floor. The 19-year-old was taken off the field immediately and skipper Rohit Sharma handed the gloves to Mumbaikar Aditya Tare.
On Wednesday, Pandya took to Twitter and shared a picture of himself with a much better looking Kishan, and wrote,"Mera cutie pie, Sorry bhai! Stay strong."
Here's his tweet
Kishan, a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, plays for Jharkhand in domestic cricket and in IPL 11 auctions was picked by Mumbai Indians.
In the face-off against RCB at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, Jasprit Bumrah bowled to Virat Kohli in the 12th over and the visiting captain pulled it uppishly to sneak a single.
Pandya picked up the ball and threw it towards Kishan when Sarfaraz Khan was running towards the wicket. Kishan wasn't wearing a helmet at the time and that ball hit him directly on the right eye. Serious pain caused by the hit had Ishan reeling in the field. A physio was called to take look at his swollen right eye. The Mumbai crowd cheered the young cricketer as he walked off on his feet.
Rohit struck a brilliant 94 before his bowlers produced a clinical performance as MI beat RCB by 46 runs. Put into bat, Mumbai recovered from a shock start of 0 for 2 to post 213 for 6, their highest score of the season, mainly through the splendid batting of Rohit (94 in 52 balls) and opener Evin Lewis (65 in 42 balls).
Then, the Mumbai bowlers led by left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya (3/28) stopped RCB at 167 for 8 in 20 overs to notch up their first win in their fourth match of the season.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ishan Kishan with a bruised eye on Tuesday (L) and Hardik Pandya")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}