Hardik Pandya and Mumbai Indians issue an official video statement after SRH gives them their most humiliating defeat of IPL

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya delivered a motivational speech following their loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hardik Pandya expressed confidence in his teammates’ ability to overcome adversity together.

The Mumbai Indians suffered a 31-run defeat in a high-scoring encounter at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, March 27. Despite playing two matches this season, the Mumbai-based team has yet to earn any points in the table.

We Are The Toughest Team In The Competition – Hardik Pandya

In a video shared on the Mumbai Indians’ Instagram account, Hardik Pandya emphasized the resilience of the team, labeling them as the toughest in the competition.

“Toughest soldiers get the toughest test. And we are the toughest team in the competition. Anyone who could have come, even close to where we reached, as a batting group or just overall Mumbai Indians, are us. Something I’m really proud of is our bowlers.”

“Even when the day was tough, I didn’t see anyone running away. Everyone wanted the ball, and I think that’s a good sign. So let’s make sure that we help each other throughout whatever happens. Worst, bad, good. We will manage it together, and we’ll be together,” Pandya said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mumbai Indians (@mumbaiindians)

Mumbai Indians Bowlers Fail To Make Impact

Speaking about the match, Hardik Pandya opted to field first after winning the toss. However, the decision backfired as Sunrisers Hyderabad got off to a flying start. Travis Head attacked the MI bowlers from the beginning and reached his fifty in just 18 deliveries.

Head and Abhishek Sharma added 68 runs off just 22 balls for the second wicket. Abhishek brought up his half-century in 16 balls, breaking Head’s record. Sharma scored 63 runs off 23 balls before being dismissed by Piyush Chawla on the final ball of the 11th over.

Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen continued the onslaught to help the team achieve a high total. The duo formed an unbeaten 116-run partnership off 54 balls, as SRH ended with 277 runs in 20 overs, marking the highest total in the history of the tournament.

Hardik Pandya, Piyush Chawla, and Gerald Coetzee each secured a wicket. Jasprit Bumrah emerged as Mumbai’s most economical bowler, conceding only 36 runs in his four overs, despite the opposition’s record-breaking total.

Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan provided a strong start in the chase. Tilak Varma and Naman Dhir added an 84-run stand for the third wicket to keep the team in the game. Varma scored 64 runs off 34 balls, but none of the other batters surpassed the 50-run mark.

The Hardik Pandya-led team concluded their innings with a total of 246/5, falling short of the target by 31 runs. They aim to rebound after facing consecutive losses in the ongoing tournament.

Also read: Watch- Lasith Malinga ignores Hardik Pandya after SRH humiliate Mumbai Indians