Irfan Pathan tears apart Hardik Pandya into pieces for this cowardice move that decided GT vs MI clash!!

Former India, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Irfan Pathan did not like the fact that Tim David walked out to bat at number 6 yesterday against Gujarat Titans. Pathan, who expressed his views on X (formerly Twitter) took a slight dig towards Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya for sending David before him during his side’s 6-run loss.

It was Hardik Pandya’s first official return to the Narendra Modi stadium in IPL since the 2023 final when GT, under his captaincy, lost to MS Dhoni’s CSK. Gujarat could have become only the 2nd team after Chennai to have successfully defended the IPL title which they won in their first attempt during the 2022 season.

Last night, Hardik Pandya had the chance to help Mumbai register their first victory against Gujarat at the World’s largest stadium, the home of GT. It was under his captaincy that GT had defeated MI in their home ground twice last year and the script didn’t change yesterday either. The Gujarat bowlers performed sensationally well in the death overs but Irfan Pathan feels there was another problem.

Irfan Pathan says Hardik Pandya should have come out to face Rashid Khan instead of sending Tim David

Irfan Pathan, who was watching the match closely from the Hindi commentary box, took to X and expressed his views on homegrown Indian players’ proficiency against spin. Pathan wrote that Hardik Pandya should have come at 5 instead of sending Tim David to face GT’s Afghani leg-spinner, Rashid Khan.

The former all-rounder, who is a part of the Star Sports commentary entourage, claimed that if he had been MI’s coach then he would have sent an Indian to face spinners. His comments were also a cryptic dig towards the weakness of foreign batters against quality slow bowlers.

“Why Tim David was ahead of Hardik when Rashid Khan’s one-over was left? I would choose Indian better than overseas batter any day vs spinner.” – Irfan Pathan wrote on X.

That particular decision proved to be the game-changing moment of the game as Rashid Khan didn’t concede many runs against Tim David. A few balls later, the Australian was sent back to the dressing room by veteran seamer Mohit Sharma in the 18th over’s last ball. Then in the 2nd ball of the 19th over, Tilak Varma right after sending Spencer Johnson to the stands, was caught at deep fine leg.

In this final ball of Johnson’s over, he scalped another wicket of Gerald Coetzee. With 18 required off the last 6, Hardik Pandya had the onus of delivering what could have been a memorable victory. He started the over with a six and a four off Umesh Yadav before the 2014 IPL winner claimed his wicket and the Piyush Chawla’s in the 4th ball. And that sealed the victory for GT.

Gujarat batter Sai Sudharsan was adjudged as man of the match for his 39-ball 45-run knock which helped the hosts post 169 as the target. And up next, Hardik Pandya’s MI will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad away at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on March 27.