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Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians suffered a 12-run defeat at the hands of Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants in match 16 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which is being played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, on April 4 (Friday). LSG posted 203/8 in 20 overs, but MI failed to chase the target as they were restricted to 191/5. MI captain Hardik called out the whole batting unit after the loss.
Hardik on loss vs LSG
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya had a great day with the ball as he became the first captain in the history of the Indian Premier League to take a five-wicket haul. However, despite this historic feat, he could not ensure a victory for his team. After the match, he said the whole batting unit will have to take ownership of this loss.
"It has been disappointing when you lose. If we have to be honest, on the field, we gave away 10-15 runs on that wicket. I have always enjoyed my bowling (on his fifer). I don't think I have many options. I try to read the wicket and try some smart options. I dont try to go for wickets. I try to bowl dot balls and let the batters take risks. I think as a batting unit, we fell short. We win as a team. We lose as a team. Don't want to point someone out. The ownership has to be taken by the whole batting unit. I take full ownership. It was obvious (on Tilak being retired out). We needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come. When you try but it doesn't come off. Just play good cricket. I like to keep it simple. Take better calls. Be smart in bowling. Take chances in batting. Play simple cricket with some aggression. As it is a long tournament, couple of wins and we might get into the rhythm," said Hardik Pandya in the post-match presentation.
In an impressive bowling display, Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya claimed his first five wickets in Twenty20 cricket; nonetheless, the Lucknow Super Giants scored 203 for 8 with two outstanding half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Aiden Markram. Following the home team's batting order, LSG's innings was put on hold when Pandya returned with impressive numbers of 5/36, capturing the wickets of Markram (53 off 38 balls), Nicholas Pooran (12), Rishabh Pant (2), David Miller (27) and Akash Deep (0). With opener Marsh scoring his third half-century in four games, LSG got off to a fantastic start. With nine fours and two sixes, he reached his 60 off just 31 balls.
MI fail to chase
MI were without Rohit Sharma as he suffered a knee injury, and in his absence, Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton opened for them. However, both of them failed to give a start and were back in the dugout by the third over. After that, Naman Dhir and Suryakumar Yadav joined a crucial 69-run partnership, which was broken by Digvesh Singh Rathi. Dhir returned after scoring a quickfire 46 off 26 balls, which involved 4 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Suryakumar Yadav scored 67 runs off 43 balls and Tilak Varma got retired hurt. At this point, LSG managed to funnel down the run to the extent that MI needed 22 runs in the final over. However, despite Hardik scoring 16-ball 28 they could only score 9 runs in the 20th over and lost the match by 12 runs.
