Mumbai Indians’ (MI) six-match winning streak came to a dramatic end in a rain-affected IPL 2025 thriller against Gujarat Titans (GT). With 15 needed off the final over, MI handed the ball to Deepak Chahar instead of skipper Hardik Pandya, sparking widespread debate over whether the decision cost them the game.

GT held their nerve to chase down the revised DLS target off the last ball, leaving fans and pundits questioning the choice of Chahar over Hardik, who is usually known for bowling key overs at the death.

Jayawardene Explains the Call, Points to Execution

Speaking after the game, MI’s head coach Mahela Jayawardene defended the decision, stating that Chahar had been their go-to bowler earlier in the season in Bumrah’s absence.

“Deepak did that job for us when Boom (Bumrah) wasn’t available. He was good. It was about execution, not the decision. We lost the game when we had control of it — and that was disappointing.”

Jayawardene added that second-guessing decisions after the outcome is easy:

“If Hardik had gone for three sixes, the question would’ve been why not Chahar?”

Pundits Disagree: “You Always Want Your Skipper to Step Up”

However, Katey Martin, on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, said the team missed a trick:

“You always want your skipper to step up. Hardik is usually the one bowling crucial overs.”

While Hardik had an off day—his only over earlier went for 18 runs with three wides and two no-balls—some believe that experience in pressure situations outweighs recent form in such moments.

MI Let the Game Drift in the Middle Overs

Pundits including Abhinav Mukund criticized MI’s mid-innings bowling tactics. While Bumrah was brilliant again—returning 1/6 and 1/7 in the 15th and 17th overs—MI leaked crucial runs in the overs surrounding his spells.

GT’s batters capitalized during overs 6–8 (37 runs) and 13–14 (28 runs). Despite a strong hand from Bumrah, Trent Boult, and concussion sub Ashwani Kumar (2/28), MI were left with limited options for the 19th over.

Bumrah Brilliant Again, But Left Without Support

Bumrah dismissed both Shubman Gill and Shahrukh Khan, turning the game briefly in MI’s favor.
Martin said, “Gill looked like a different player against Bumrah. His footwork vanished — that’s what Bumrah does.”

Despite a stunning final burst from MI’s strike bowlers, it wasn’t enough. GT’s late hitters made the most of Chahar’s final over, including a no-ball, a four, and a six, sealing a dramatic finish.

Final Verdict: Decision or Execution?

Whether MI made the right call remains a debate, but Jayawardene was clear:

“It was the execution, not the bowler. We had the game. We let it go.”

One thing is certain — Mumbai Indians won’t forget this collapse anytime soon, and fans will continue to wonder: What if Hardik had bowled that final over?

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