NEW DELHI: Hardik Pandya had a tough day on Sunday as Mumbai Indians faced defeat against Gujarat Titans in their opening fixture of Indian Premier League 2024 season.
The match, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, didn't go as planned for Pandya and his team.
Criticisms arose for some of Pandya's decisions during the game, starting from the toss where he elected to bowl first. When asked about the team combination by presenter Ravi Shastri, Pandya kept the names of the overseas players MI picked a secret, stating they had 'four quicks, three spinners, and seven batters' to cover all departments.
This led to a humorous remark from former India head coach Anil Kumble on Jio Cinema, with AB de Villiers joining in on the banter.
"I would never expect Hardik to tell us the names as well. Four fast bowlers, three spinners, five batters, 11 fielders, we all know that. Who are those?”
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In the match, Mumbai managed to restrict Gujarat to 168 for six, with Jasprit Bumrah shining with figures of 3 for 14.
In the chase, unheralded Naman Dhir's quick start and a solid partnership between Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis put MI in a good position, needing 55 runs from the last eight overs with seven wickets in hand.
However, Gujarat's stellar death bowling turned the tide, leading to Mumbai's defeat by six runs. This loss extended GT's winning streak against MI at home and highlighted MI's struggle to win their opening fixture since 2012.
Overall, it was a disappointing start for Hardik and Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024, as they aim to bounce back in the upcoming matches.
1/9:GT edge MI in IPL thriller to spoil Hardik's homecoming
AFP
2/9:Gujarat Titans beat Mumbai Indians
Gujarat Titans edged out Mumbai Indians by six runs in an IPL thriller as Hardik Pandya suffered a defeat as Mumbai captain after he controversially replaced Rohit Sharma.AP
3/9:Rohit Sharma & Dewald Brevis shine
Rohit (43) and Dewald Brevis (46) shone in MI's chase of their 169 target with a third-wicket stand of 77 but Gujarat's bowlers hit back to keep the opposition down 162/9 in Ahmedabad.ANI
4/9:Shubman Gill's victory
It was celebration at the world's biggest cricket stadium for new home team captain Shubman Gill who spoiled Pandya's homecoming.AFP
5/9:Stadium atmosphere
Close to 90,000 fans turned up at the 132,000 capacity arena.IANS
6/9:Bowlers shine for Gujarat
Mohit Sharma took down Brevis and then Tim David in successive overs before fellow quick Spencer Johnson struck twice in the 19th over to dent the chase further.AFP
7/9:Hardik Pandya's efforts in vain
Hardik Pandya attempted to go for the 19 runs needed in the last over with a six and a four off Umesh Yadav before being caught out on the third.AP
8/9:Bumrah's impressive bowling
Jasprit Bumrah came in first change to bowled Wriddhiman Saha with a trademark toe-crushing yorker and finished with figures of 3-14 in four overs to keep down Gujarat to 168/6.PTI
