IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya Praises Smart Bowling After SRH Victory
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Synopsis
In a thrilling IPL 2025 match, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya lauded his bowlers for their disciplined performance that led to a four-wicket victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Key contributions from players like Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton ensured Mumbai's successful chase at Wankhede Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Hardik Pandya praised the smart bowling strategy.
- Will Jacks excelled with both bat and ball.
- Mumbai Indians chased down the target of 163 runs.
- Both captains acknowledged the challenging wicket.
- Team contributions were crucial for the victory.
Mumbai, April 18 (NationPress) Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya and Sunrisers Hyderabad's Pat Cummins acknowledged the disciplined bowling by the Mumbai bowlers that secured a four-wicket victory in Match 33 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
Will Jacks delivered an impressive all-round performance, taking two wickets for just 14 runs and scoring 36 runs, as Mumbai Indians limited Sunrisers Hyderabad to 162/5. They then successfully chased down the target, reaching 166/6 in 18.1 overs, marking their third victory in IPL 2025.
"The way we bowled was very smart and spot on. We adhered to simple, fundamental strategies. Certain deliveries were challenging to hit. Credit goes to the bowlers; we made them play some good shots. We were effectively squeezing them. The surface had a nice greenish appearance, and in the initial overs bowled by Deepak, a couple of balls stuck. We decided to incorporate change-of-pace deliveries. Once we identified that, we began mixing it up. We executed the yorkers very intelligently," Pandya remarked following his team's win.
SRH captain Pat Cummins conceded that it was a challenging wicket to bat on but praised the Mumbai bowlers for their effective execution of plans.
"It wasn't the easiest of wickets, and 160 felt a bit short. It was a tricky surface with cutters gripping. They closed off many of our scoring opportunities. I believed we had all bases covered. The score of 160 seemed a bit under par; I thought we gave it a solid effort with the ball," Cummins stated.
Pandya also commended Will Jacks for his excellent bowling and fielding. He expressed that the situation was tense with 42 runs needed off 42 balls, but some boundaries relieved the pressure.
"He (Will Jacks) can be an exceptional fielder and bowler. Today, he performed well. When we required 42 off 42, it felt like a critical moment, so we took our time for a couple of overs without getting overly excited. Once the boundaries started coming, the pressure eased, and we accelerated towards the end," he noted.
Mumbai Indians batter Ryan Rickelton expressed his satisfaction in contributing to the team's success. The hosts benefited from key performances by Rickelton (31), Jacks (36), Rohit Sharma (26), Suryakumar Yadav (26), and Tilak Varma (21 not out) to achieve 166/6 in 18.1 overs, winning by four wickets with 11 balls to spare.
"It’s nice to contribute and get going. I'm still eager for that significant score. It wasn't the easiest pitch, but we adapted well and got over the line. It’s extremely challenging; it's not insurmountable on these tough surfaces. We have laid a solid foundation, and I am working on refining my game. It's a work in progress, and if I can continue to develop, it will bode well for the future," he added.
Rickelton mentioned that he also learned from the experiences of Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya.
He believed they could have restricted SRH to an even lower score.
"The intelligence was evident today with the ball in hand; we could have possibly kept them to an even lower total. We are rising to the occasion as the tournament advances. I'm finding my footing and really enjoying the IPL. It's a fantastic team to play for with a great atmosphere. I hope to keep contributing," Rickelton remarked.
