Hardik Pandya
Despite a historic defeat at the hands of the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya chose to focus on the positives, particularly the performance of his young bowling attack.
SRH set a new IPL record with a mammoth 277 runs, leaving MI with a near-impossible chase. While acknowledging the challenge, Pandya saw promise in his bowlers’ efforts.
“The wicket was good, but 277,” Pandya said, emphasizing the enormity of the task. “It doesn’t matter how good or bad you bowl, that’s a massive total to chase. The bowlers were good, considering the circumstances. It was a batting pitch as close to 500 runs were scored in the match.”
While hinting at potential tactical adjustments, Pandya emphasized the development of his young bowling unit. “We could have tried a few different things,” he admitted, “but with a young attack, I liked what I saw today. The crowd was huge, and the pressure of completing overs quickly when the ball keeps going into the stands is a different experience.”
Instead of dwelling on the negatives, Pandya highlighted the positives in MI’s batting performance. “Everyone batted well,” he noted, “including Tilak [Varma], Rohit [Sharma], and Ishan [Kishan]. There are just a few areas to improve, and we’ll be alright.”
Pandya reserved special praise for debutant bowler Kwena Maphaka, despite conceding a hefty 66 runs in his four overs. “I think Maphaka was fantastic,” said Pandya. “Coming into your first game in such a high-pressure environment, he showed a lot of heart. He didn’t shy away from backing his skills even though he went for runs. That’s a fantastic attitude, and he definitely has the skills. He just needs more experience.”
This approach suggests that Pandya is looking beyond the immediate loss and focusing on building a strong team for the future. While the defeat hurts, Pandya’s focus on player development could prove to be a strategic move for the remaining IPL season.
