Watch- Hardik Pandya's vile Mitchell Santner move irks Mumbai Indians' owner Akash Ambani; storms into action

Mumbai Indians owner Akash Ambani just couldn't believe his eyes after his team's captain Hardik Pandya refused to take an easy single to Mitchell Santner in the final over of the run-chase against Lucknow Super Giants.'

Akash, who was present at the game right from the start, followed the match and cheered for his team. However, when he saw Hardik Pandya turn down a single to Santner, he was left stunned, although, didn't express his emotions much.

MI Owner Akash Ambani reaction When Hardik Pandya on 19.3 Balls not takes the Single.#LSGvsMI pic.twitter.com/BCznQ7fc5J

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— Vikas Yadav (@VikasYadav69014) April 4, 2025

Why did Hardik Pandya deny the single?

With 22 needed to win off the last over, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya started the over perfectly with an effortless six over the extra cover boundary. Pandya got a couple in the next delivery through midwicket.

However, MI needed boundaries at this point, and the skipper was their best option to do it on the big stage. As a result, Hardik took the responsibility upon himself and decided not to take a single off the next ball to regain the strike.

Santner was almost till the striker's end but was denied the single by his captain, much to the surprise of Ambani and the others present at the ground. The move didn't pay off as Pandya couldn't take a run off the next ball, and the situation became almost impossible for MI to win.

Also read: 'Now I can say that Shardul Thakur has been...': Rishabh Pant’s major statement after LSG crush MI

LSG completed a hard-fought win

With 14 needed off two balls, it was almost a formality for LSG to clinch a thrilling win. Bowler Avesh Khan ensured that he didn't bowl any wide or no-ball deliveries and finished off the game well.

Hardik could just take a single off the fifth ball of the final over, and even threw his bat as he failed to properly connect yet another delivery. He even threw his bat in frustration as he reached the non-striker's end for a single.

The last ball resulted in a dot as Mitchell Santner hit the ball straight to midwicket, who was inside the circle. The home team completed a hard-fought victory and a much-needed one that will boost their confidence for the matches ahead.

Hardik Pandya shines with bat and ball

While Hardik Pandya couldn't finish off the game for his team, he had a fantastic game overall with both bat and ball. The MI skipper produced his best figures in T20 cricket with a fine five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Pandya finished with 5-36 in an outstanding spell as he used his slower ones to perfection to tie LSG down to a chaseable score. The target was within MI's grasp with Pandya going strong at one end.

However, he lost his timing at the latter stages of the game, which resulted in his team missing out on a deserved win. Pandya finished unbeaten on 28 off 16 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.