Jasprit Bumrah delivered the 19th over, leaving Hardik with the decision to bowl the final over or entrust Akash Madhwal with the task of finishing off the innings for Mumbai Indians(MI). Opting to take charge, Hardik conceded 26 runs, including a hat-trick of sixes by MS Dhoni, propelling Chennai Super Kings(CSK) to 206/4, a total that initially seemed improbable.
While chasing 207, Hardik Pandya entered the crease with the asking rate below 13. Expected to showcase his finishing skills as the MI skipper, he faced a bouncer from Tushar Deshpande that sent him back to the dressing room. Regarding his captaincy, former cricketer Wasim Jaffer remarked that the decision to bowl the 20th over was debatable, suggesting Akash Madhwal might have been a better choice. However, he commended Hardik’s decision not to bowl spin to Dube and refrained from questioning his overall captaincy.
Facing their fourth defeat in six matches this season including their last defeat by CSK, the five-time champions find themselves in the 8th spot with four points and a negative run rate of 0.234. Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody suggests that to reverse their fortunes, Hardik Pandya must leverage the wealth of experience around him. “Though it’s a challenge, he’s surrounded by seasoned individuals. The dugout boasts considerable international and IPL expertise, and there’s ample experience on the field as well. Hardik should tap into this knowledge pool, embracing the support and guidance to steer the team in the right direction,” Moody stated.
MI is next set to clash with Punjab Kings on Thursday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, in Mullanpur.