Hardik Pandya’s return to the Narendra Modi Stadium ended in disappointment as Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans clinched a nail-biting victory over the five-time champions by a margin of six runs in Ahmedabad. The thrilling finish unfolded in the last over, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. Gill’s astute leadership proved instrumental in securing the win, marking a memorable triumph for the Gujarat Titans in their encounter against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Hardik’s Words After The Match:
In his debut as Mumbai Indians’ captain, Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to field first against his former team, Gujarat Titans, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The decision marked the beginning of Pandya’s leadership stint for MI, adding intrigue to the match against his previous franchise. Regrettably, Pandya couldn’t secure Mumbai Indians’ inaugural victory in IPL 2024, as they succumbed to Gujarat Titans by a narrow six-run margin.
After the match, Hardik said, “We backed ourselves to chase those 42 runs but it was one of those days where we lost the momentum. It feels good to be back because this is one stadium you can enjoy, feel the atmosphere quite lively and obviously the crowd was full and they got a good game as well. (On Tilak not taking the single vs Rashid) I think Tilak felt that that was a better idea at that point of time, I completely back him, not an issue, we’ve got 13 games to go.”
Hardik’s Strategy and Batting Position Queried:
At 7:30 PM on Sunday, the highly anticipated moment unfolded as Hardik Pandya strode out for the toss amidst a section of fans booing. Unfazed, the MI captain chose to bowl first in Ahmedabad, a decision that appeared logical. However, the strategy of not opening with Jasprit Bumrah puzzled many. Pandya and Luke Wood bore the brunt of GT’s aggressive batting onslaught initially. It was eventually Bumrah who broke the deadlock with a wicket in his first over.
In the batting lineup, Pandya’s placement at No. 7, after typically occupying the No. 4 slot, raised eyebrows. His entry into the crease with MI needing 25 runs off 12 balls added intrigue. Pandya injected some late-game excitement by smashing a six and a boundary in the first two deliveries of the final over. Yet, his attempt for a third consecutive big hit led to his dismissal at long-on.
Despite Pandya’s late flourish, MI fell short, leaving questions lingering over the team’s strategic choices and Pandya’s role in the match’s pivotal moments.
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