IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya hails clinical performance with both bat and ball after win against RR

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya lauded the comprehensive performance with both bat and ball after a huge win of 100 runs at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur in the ongoing IPL 2025 on Thursday. Asked to bat first, MI posted a par score of 217 runs on the board but Pandya reckons they could have crossed 230.

Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma gave a perfect start to their team, adding 116 runs off just 71 balls. While Ryan scored 61 runs off 38 balls, Rohit continued his good form, scoring 53 runs off 36 balls.

Subsequently, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya scored 48 runs each off 23 balls to add the finishing touches for MI.

MI came up with a clinical show with the ball as RR was skittled out for 117 runs as the home team kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could not get any impetus. Trent Boult and impact player Karn Sharma bagged three wickets apiece whereas Jasprit Bumrah scalped two wickets.

Hardik Pandya said in the post-match presentation, “Especially the way they batted. Absolutely clinical with the ball. We could have got maybe 15 runs more. We kind of missed out.”

Speaking on his conversation with SKY, Pandya said, “What we were trying to speak to each other was to play percentage shots and cricket shots. Value of shots are there if you hit the gaps, Ro and Ryan batted the same way, Ryan kept the intent and he targeted those boundaries and it was fantastic.”

He added, “It is never about people getting chances, it is about what is required of that situation. People are going back to what is called batsmanship, it is about hitting the gaps, running hard and the way we batted was proper batsmanship. I don’t know who all to mention, the kind of bowling attack we have and the experience, I don’t have to worry. Everyone is very clear and we are going back to simple cricket, it is working for us, and hopefully, it continues. We want to be humble, very disciplined, and keep focusing.”

Mumbai Indians have climbed to the top of the points table with six wins on the bounce. MI will next take on the Gujarat Titans at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday.