Varun Aaron Baffled by Hardik Pandya’s Calls in MI’s Loss to PBKS

Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron slammed the Mumbai Indians’ skipper Hardik Pandya over his decision-making on Sunday. MI lost to PBKS in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Varun Aaron criticised Hardik Pandya’s tactics on Sunday, when MI lost to PBKS. Despite putting up 203/7, Mumbai’s bowlers couldn’t deliver under pressure. For the first time, MI failed to defend a total of over 200 runs. They lost the chance this year to secure their sixth title.

‘He looked very difficult to get away’

Mumbai’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless and gave 40 runs away in his four overs, which is unusual for the bowler. Trent Boult managed just one wicket of Prabhsimran Singh, giving away 38 runs. Pandya’s strategy, to have Ashwani Kumar deliver the crucial 19th over with 23 runs needed from 12 balls, did not work out. Iyer finished the match with an over remaining.

Varun Aaron criticised Hardik Pandya for not completing his full quota of overs.

“Hardik and Santner have just bowled two overs. I don’t know why Hardik didn’t bowl 4 overs in this game because he’s bowled so much on this wicket, playing for GT. He had to bowl four overs; he looked very difficult to get away, especially in his first over. Yeah, he went for a few in the second over, but he should have still persevered because his plans were right and he executes them really well, those back of line, slow balls, slow bouncers,” Aaron said on ESPNCricinfo.

Santner should’ve bowled his quota

Pandya claimed the crucial wicket of Josh Inglis, however, he only bowled two overs himself. Mitchell Santner was also underused, despite being economical with 0/15 in two overs.

Aaron was perplexed by Pandya’s decision not to let Santner complete his spell, especially since the spinner had performed well in his first two overs.

“Santner was bowling so well, he was just doing exactly what was needed. There was no reason not to give Santner his four overs,” he added.

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