Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya delivered a blunt and emotional post-match assessment after their narrow 3-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans (GT) in a rain-affected IPL 2025 clash at Wankhede. The defeat, which has playoff implications, was defined by MI’s repeated no-ball errors, including two from Hardik himself.
“It is a crime,” Pandya said, referring to the no-balls.
“More often than not, it bites you.”
No-Balls and Missed Opportunities Cost MI Dearly
With GT needing 15 off the final over, Deepak Chahar — despite bowling only twice before — was given the ball. The decision backfired as he conceded a boundary, a six, and a match-altering no-ball, handing the momentum to Gujarat.
Hardik, too, overstepped twice earlier in the innings.
“Catches didn’t cost us much, but the no-balls definitely did. In T20s, that’s a crime,” he emphasized.
A dropped catch of Shubman Gill by Tilak Varma in the 12th over added to MI’s woes.
“We Were Short With the Bat,” Admits Pandya
Despite a valiant fight from the bowlers — Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult led the charge with crucial wickets — MI were always playing catch-up after posting just 155/8.
“It wasn’t a 150 pitch. We were short by 20–30 runs. The bowlers gave it their all, but we couldn’t finish the job,” Pandya said.
Will Jacks top-scored with a fiery 53, with support from Suryakumar Yadav (35) and Corbin Bosch (27), but MI’s innings never gained consistent momentum.
Slow Over-Rate Penalty Added to Pressure
To make things worse, a slow over-rate penalty restricted MI to only four fielders outside the circle during the final over — making Chahar’s task even tougher in already wet conditions.
“The rain made things difficult, but we had to keep playing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough,” Pandya concluded.
Quick Summary
- Top Scorer (MI): Will Jacks (53)
- Top Wicket-Takers (MI): Bumrah, Boult with key breakthroughs
- Turning Point: Final over no-ball + fielding restriction due to over-rate
- Hardik Pandya: 2 no-balls + honest post-match reflection
- Gujarat Titans: Clinched the win with a last-ball finish
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