Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) lost to hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in match 8 of the IPL 2024 edition, on Wednesday (March 27). In a high-scoring encounter, Pat Cummins-led SRH scored the highest team total in IPL history, posting 277 for 3 riding on Travis Head’s 24-ball 62, Abhishek Sharma’s 23-ball 63 and Heinrich Klaasen’s 34-ball 80*. In response, Tilak Varma top-scored for MI with a 4-ball 64 but Hardik & Co. fell short, ending with 243 for 5. With this, MI have now lost back-to-back games. After the loss, captain Hardik gave a rousing dressing room speech.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a video shared on MI’s official handle on X, formerly Twitter, Hardik said, “The 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 are us.” He further backed his bowlers, despite their poor outing, and said, “Something that I am really proud of is our bowlers. Even when the day was tough, I didn’t see anyone running away. Everyone wanted the ball in their hands, I think that’s a good sight.”
The all-rounder added, “Let’s make sure we help each other throughout, whatever happens, worst, bad or good, we will manage it together. And we will be together.”
MI won the toss versus SRH and asked them to bat first. The decision fell flat as Mumbai bowlers were taken to all parts of the ground as Head, Abhishek and Klaasen cleared the ropes at will and toyed with the field placements. As a result, all the MI bowlers — except Jasprit Bumrah — had an economy rate of over 10. In the run-chase, MI were off to a flier courtesy of Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan and posted 141-2 in ten overs before eventually falling behind despite Tim David’s 22-ball 42*.
MI have lost two games on the trot early in the season. They will now host Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday (April 1).
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