Mumbai Indians’ (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has spoken out after Tilak Varma became only the fourth player in Indian Premier League (IPL) history to be retired out. During MI’s chase against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Tilak, batting on 25 off 23 balls, surprisingly walked off with just 7 balls left in the innings, allowing Mitchell Santner to take his place.
The move sparked debate among fans and experts. With MI needing 24 runs from 7 balls, Tilak’s slow scoring rate prompted the team to make a bold tactical call. Hardik, who was at the crease alongside Tilak at the time, explained the rationale. “It was obvious. We needed some hits, and on some days, when you try hard, it just doesn’t work,” Pandya said. Unfortunately, MI fell short by 12 runs in the end.
Hardik Takes Ownership of MI’s Batting Woes
While Tilak’s retirement stood out, Hardik emphasized that the team’s collective batting effort was underwhelming. He highlighted the importance of accountability and unity.
“We win as a team and lose as a team. I don’t want to blame anyone specifically. The entire batting unit has to take ownership. I take full responsibility,” he said.
A major contributor to MI’s defeat was LSG leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi, who bowled a brilliant spell, conceding just 21 runs in his four overs and dismissing a well-set Naman Dhir. Hardik also pointed out that MI gave away 10–15 extra runs in the field, which added to the pressure during the chase.
Despite Personal Success, Hardik Urges Smarter Play
Despite registering his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, Hardik Pandya was unable to carry his side to victory. Reflecting on the loss, he stressed the need for smarter decision-making.
“I always enjoy bowling. I don’t focus on wickets; I aim for dot balls and try to force batters into taking risks,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Hardik emphasized simplicity, smart tactics, and a bit of aggression as the keys to turning MI’s campaign around. “It’s a long tournament. If we get a couple of wins, we can find our rhythm. We just need to make better calls in bowling and take more chances in batting,” he concluded.
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