Match 8 of the IPL 2024 edition saw the Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) bowlers being smashed to all parts of the ground as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) scored 277 for 3 in 20 overs after Pat Cummins & Co. were asked to bat first in Hyderabad. In reply, the five-time winners failed to get off the mark in the season. Despite giving a tough fight, they ended with 243 for 5 to lose by 31 runs. After the contest, former Indian all-rounder-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan slammed captain Hardik for his rusty knock in MI’s herculean run-chase.
If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2024
If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2024
Talking about MI’s run-chase, former skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan gave the team a flying start. The duo added 50 runs in three overs and MI were 141-2 in 10 overs, still having a chance to chase down the score. While they eventually fell short, every batter scored at a brisk rate — striking, at least, over 185 — but Hardik returned with a 20-ball 24 (striking at 120). The skipper came out to bat at No. 5, in the 11th over and got dismissed in the 18th; hitting just 1 six.
Earlier, SRH posted the highest team score in IPL history riding on Travis Head’s 24-ball 62, Abhishek Sharma’s 23-ball 63 and Heinrich Klaasen’s 34-ball 80*. In reply, Tilak Varma top-scored for MI with a fine 34-ball 64 while Tim David ended with an unbeaten 22-ball 42.
HARDIK STRUGGLING
A lot has been said and written about Hardik’s captaincy in this season. In MI’s season-opener, where they lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) by six runs in Ahmedabad, he was slammed for demoting himself in a tight run-chase and not using ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah wisely during GT’s innings. So far, he has not created any impact with both bat and ball and will be desperate to lead his team’s revival.
MI will now host Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on April 1 (Monday).
