Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya did not hold back after their narrow three-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans under the DLS method. He was particularly upset about the no-balls bowled by himself and others, calling them a “crime” in T20 cricket. The match, held at Wankhede Stadium, saw MI in a favorable position when rain interrupted play.
At one point, Mumbai was ahead by five runs under DLS after the 18th over. However, rain relented just enough for a one-over shootout to decide the winner. GT needed 15 runs in the final over, and MI had only four fielders outside the circle due to a slow over-rate penalty.
Deepak Chahar bowled the last over but faltered under pressure, giving away a boundary and a six, followed by a costly no-ball that shifted momentum completely in Gujarat’s favor. Earlier in the game, Hardik himself had bowled two no-balls in a single over. Additionally, MI dropped an important catch when Shubman Gill mistimed a shot in the 12th over, which Tilak Varma failed to hold onto.
Batting Struggles and Bowling Brilliance
Mumbai Indians struggled with the bat, ending their innings at 155/8. Despite this, there were standout contributions from Will Jacks (53), Suryakumar Yadav (35), and Corbin Bosch (27), who helped steady the innings after a poor start.
In response, MI’s bowlers put up a strong fight. Jasprit Bumrah struck early, dismissing both Shubman Gill and Shahrukh Khan, while Trent Boult trapped Sherfane Rutherford in front of the stumps. Pandya praised the bowlers for keeping MI in the game despite a low total.
He admitted the team fell short by 20 to 30 runs and emphasized that the pitch was more suitable for a score around 175. While disappointed with the outcome, he acknowledged the bowlers’ efforts and team spirit.
Rain Interruptions and Final Thoughts
Rain played a major role in the match, causing multiple interruptions and changing the game’s momentum. According to Pandya, the ground was not wet initially, but the conditions worsened during Gujarat’s innings. The wet ball made things difficult for the bowlers.
Though the constant halts were frustrating, Pandya accepted that they had to adapt and play regardless of the circumstances. He concluded by expressing pride in his team’s determination, saying they fought till the end and did not give up even when the odds were against them.
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