Former India cricketer R Ashwin likened Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya’s fiery pep talk to Tilak Varma to that of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Legend Triple H’s iconic ring entrance. The skipper had spurred on the struggling batter during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Monday, April 20.
Tilak Varma, who had an underwhelming start to the IPL 2026 season, was batting on 19 runs off 22 deliveries and could not get going in the middle order. MI were reeling at 96-4 in the 13th over, when Hardik Pandya came out to bat. During a break in play, the skipper was seen motivating Tilak Varma, making several animated gestures.
The skipper was also at his animated best during the second innings when MI’s bowling attack wreaked havoc to bundle out GT for just 100 in 15.5 overs.
R Ashwin revealed how Hardik Pandya’s theatrics during the massive win over GT reminded him of Triple H.
“Hardik Pandya was talking to him (Tilak Varma) while batting, he motivated him, he did it like how we see in WWF (WWE). Just like Triple H used to do with water. So whatever Hardik Pandya said and did, worked for Tilak Varma. This is easily one of the best IPL hundreds that I have seen. To take down Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Rashid Khan, and Mohammed Siraj on this pitch, it was probably one of the best IPL hundreds that I have ever seen,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“The momentum that MI got in the last three overs, the game was over for GT. The moment MI crossed 175 on this pitch, the game was done,” he added.
Much like the previous season, it is the top three of Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan that have been responsible for the majority of the runs so far. The middle-order of Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, and Shahrukh Khan, could not step up after MI reduced GT to 40-3 inside the powerplay itself.
“If GT’s top three don’t fire, their condition becomes really bad. Shubman Gill is an extremely vital player for them, and the way Sai Sudharsan’s last year went, it won’t be an easy year, such back and forth happens, and he is still making runs, but it will be up and down for him,” Ashwin said.
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