In the aftermath of Mumbai Indians’ (MI) heartbreaking loss to Gujarat Titans (GT), captain Hardik Pandya expressed his frustration over the team’s mistakes, particularly their no-ball issues. MI’s loss came down to the final moments, and Hardik pointed to the three no-balls – two bowled by him and one by Deepak Chahar in the last over – as key turning points in the game.
After the defeat, Hardik reflected on the game, saying, “The catches didn’t really cost us. We were very clinical with that. Maybe definitely with the no-balls, with my no-ball and even the last [over] no-ball. That, in my eyes, indeed it’s a crime, and most often than not it kind of bites you. It definitely did to us.” The no-balls proved costly as MI, defending 14 runs in the final over, allowed GT a chance to chase down the target in a rain-affected thriller.
While Hardik was disappointed with the no-balls, he still praised the efforts of his team. He added, “I’m really happy with the boys giving their 120% and making sure that we were in the game and not giving up.” Hardik also discussed the challenges MI faced with the conditions, stating that the surface wasn’t ideal for batting. He felt the team fell short by 20-25 runs, but credited the bowlers for fighting back in tough conditions.
Shubman Gill on Challenging Conditions and Team’s Resilience
On the other hand, Shubman Gill, the star of GT’s chase, spoke about the testing conditions at the start of their innings. With a strong wind and intermittent rain, the conditions made batting a difficult task. Gill noted, “It felt like a Test match for the first four to five overs. We just had to play proper, normal cricket.” Despite the tough start, Gill and Jos Buttler (30) put together a vital 72-run partnership, but a collapse of four wickets for 13 runs brought the game back in MI’s favor as rain forced another break.
Gill described the emotions within the GT camp during the rain delay: “A lot of emotions, most of them were frustrating, because at one point we were ahead in the game. Then, I think, four overs of play, 20 [13] runs for four wickets, it felt like one of those Test match sessions, which don’t go your way.” However, he remained optimistic, adding, “The universe gave us one more chance, and everything worked out well for us.”
Rashid Khan’s Comeback Impressed Gill
Gill also praised Rashid Khan, who had a strong comeback performance after a tough outing in the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). “It’s not easy for him coming back from an injury,” Gill said. “But the way he’s been working hard in the nets, and I think the way he bowled today, is a great sign for us.”
Despite the rain delays and a challenging pitch, Gujarat Titans managed to cross the line, securing a crucial win and pushing them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table, while Mumbai Indians’ momentum was halted in a match full of drama.
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