Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya was visibly frustrated after a nail-biting defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) clash on Tuesday, pinpointing no-balls as a critical "crime" that derailed his team’s efforts.
Despite a valiant fight, MI could not overcome the odds after scoring just 155 runs, leaving Pandya to reflect on a match defined by narrow margins.
In the run chase, Gujarat Titans faced intense pressure from MI’s disciplined bowling attack, but no-balls, including two bowled by Hardik Pandya, proved costly. The second innings was reduced to 19 overs due to rain, and with 15 runs to get off the final over, Deepak Chahar bowled a no-ball, which ultimately helped the Titans win the game on the last delivery.
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"Catches did not really cost us, but the no-balls, with my no-balls and even in the last no-ball, in my eyes in T20s, it is a crime and more often than not, it bites you. But I am really happy with the boys for giving their 120 per cent, ensuring we were in the game and not giving up," Pandya said as quoted in the post-match presentation.
Pandya commended his team’s grit, noting their ability to stay competitive, though he believes they were 20-25 runs short.
"Yes, definitely (tough way to go down). We fought well with the total we had. Most of the time, we were out of the game, but we pushed as a group. It was a game of margins."
Assessing the pitch, Pandya believed MI’s batters left runs on the table and said,
"It was definitely not a 150-wicket. It was a 175-wicket, we were short in batting by 20-25 or maybe 30 runs if we had batted well. Credit to the bowlers. They kept fighting, and we could not finish the job."
Rain interruptions further complicated matters, with a damp ball affecting play.
"The ground, in the first innings, was not wet, but post that, throughout, the ball kept getting wetter. Not sure if it helped us or not, it was difficult. Rain kept coming in, not ideal to have stoppages and start again. But the game goes on, we had to play a game (in the end), and we definitely did," Pandya concluded.
Also read: "India Squad For England Tests To Be Picked In The Next Two Weeks" - BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia
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Gujarat Titans End Mumbai Indians’ Six-Match Winning-Streak
This defeat puts the Mumbai Indians under pressure in the IPL playoff race. They were bulldozing every other opposition coming in their way, marching to the playoffs. However, the Gujarat Titans brought an end to their winning chariot.
After this loss, MI is placed fourth on the IPL 2025 points table. They have 14 points in their tally currently after 12 games, and two more wins will confirm their qualification for the playoffs.
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