IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya in action© BCCI
Mumbai Indians’ confidence once again got hit the five-time champions registered a big defeat against Rajasthan Royals. Batting first, Hardik Pandya and co posted a good total of 179/9 in 20 overs, despite RR Sandeep Sharma claiming a five-wicket haul. However, their happiness was short-lived as Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was struggling for form in the ongoing season, hammered an unbeaten ton and took RR across the line with nine wickets in hand. This was MI’s fifth defeat in eight matches.
After the match, former India batter Manoj Tiwary slammed captain Hardik was not utilizing pacer Jasprit Bumrah, right from the first over against RR.
“If you have Jasprit Bumrah in the line-up why will you not bowl him in the first over? Buttler came off a hundred, Jaiswal was not in the best form, you need to give your best bowler the best chance of picking a wicket. When Hardik Pandya came in, he got hit for 2 boundaries and that took the shine away from the new ball slightly, and the margin of swing reduced. Things got easier for the batter,” Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
“I don’t see MI progressing in the points table because these silly mistakes are being made. If this kind of captaincy continues, MI are not making the playoffs. Previously, players were with Rohit Sharma. Now it feels like that MI players have not bought into Hardik Pandya as the captain of the side,” he added.
Jaiswal hits an unbeaten 104 off 60 balls and helped RR claim their seventh win of the season in just 18.4 overs.
“Credit has to go to all the players. Started well in the powerplay. In the middle, the left-handers played unbelievably. But the way we came back was where we won the game. Wicket looked a bit dry. But when lights come in, gets colder in the night, it gets better to bat in the second innings. People are professional enough about what to do when they get a break. I don’t think he needs (advice from) anyone (Jaiswal). He’s very confident. Was about one game. Let’s see how the wicket is there (Lucknow) and let’s see how it goes,” said RR captain Sanju Samson after the victory.
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