Hardik Pandya’s Mumbai Indians blasted for 'completely ignoring' star performer ahead of Qualifier 2

As the Mumbai Indians gear up for a high-stakes Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025 with the Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Sunday (June 1), former Indian spinner Murali Kartik has questioned the franchise’s confusing bowling decisions. Kartik criticized MI’s decision to leave out the seasoned leg-spinner Karn Sharma from the XI in the final stage of the tournament.

Karn Sharma had quietly delivered when it mattered most. In the six matches he has played, the seasoned spinner has scalped seven wickets, including a match-turning 3/36 against Delhi Capitals that sparked MI’s IPL 2025 campaign, and they never looked back.

Murali Kartik questions Karn Sharma's snub by Mumbai Indians

Despite his key contributions in the league stage, Mumbai Indians shockingly dropped Karn without much explanation, leaving fans and experts, including Kartik, stunned. Kartik slammed a lack of clarity in MI’s selection strategy, especially with the team now gearing up for Qualifier 1 against PBKS.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: AB de Villiers betrays Virat Kohli, drops "guys are rude..." bombshell

Questioning Mumbai Indians’ team selection ahead of their Qualifier 2 clash, the commentator has pointed out the uncertainty around Richard Gleeson’s fitness after he injured his hamstring in the last over. Kartik also said that Karn Sharma’s snub and Mitchell Santner’s sudden entry into the playing XI are beyond his understanding.

Dinesh Kartik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “The way Richard Gleeson clutched his hamstring in the final over, you don't know if he's fit. You don't know whether you'd play him or not. Karn Sharma was playing really well, but suddenly, you've begun to completely ignore him. Santner was sitting on the sidelines when Karn was playing, but now it's the opposite. It's very difficult to call.”

Murali Kartik warns MI ahead of Qualifier 2 against PBKS

He believes that Punjab Kings will hope for Deepak Chahar’s return to boost their bowling strength. The former Indian spinner feels that Chahar’s presence can help PBKS get back to their old winning formula, especially with Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks unavailable for Qualifier 2.

Kartik signed off by saying, “They would want Deepak Chahar to be fit. They can get the old combination and old formula back. I know Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks aren't there, but Bairstow has performed. If Chahar comes back, they can have more belief.”

Notably, Mumbai Indians stormed into the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 after outclassing Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in the Eliminator in Chandigarh. They have posted a massive 228/5 on the board, and then Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance ruined Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar’s efforts with the bat.

Read Also: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis snubbed as Kane Williamson reveals his all-time favorite Pakistan cricketers

PBKS will face RCB in the IPL 2025 Final if rain plays spoilsport

The winner of the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the summit clash on Tuesday, June 3, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Royal Challengers Bengaluru reached the IPL 2025 final after a dominating 8-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the first qualifier on Wednesday in Chandigarh.

If rain washes out Qualifier 2, Punjab Kings will go straight to the IPL 2025 final. Since they finished at the top of the points table and Mumbai Indians were fourth, PBKS will qualify based on their higher ranking and will face RCB in the final in Ahmedabad.