“Couldn’t capitalise on momentum”: Hardik after loss to KKR

After Mumbai Indians (MI) faced an 18-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, MI captain Hardik Pandya candidly assessed his team’s performance, pinpointing where they fell short in capitalizing on the early momentum.

KKR’s victory secured them a spot in the IPL playoffs, thanks to standout performances by Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell, coupled with effective bowling from their spinners.

During the post-match presentation, Hardik shared his insights on the challenges his team faced during the game. He explained, “As a batting unit, the foundation was there but we could not capitalize after that and keep the momentum up. The wicket was a little up and down and a little tacky so momentum was very important.” His reflection highlighted the difficulties MI encountered on the unpredictable pitch.

Hardik also praised his bowlers, despite the challenging conditions, stating, “I think it was a par score, given the conditions, felt that the bowlers did well. Every ball that came back from the boundary came back wet. The bowlers made sure they kept taking wickets.” His comments underscore the efforts made by the MI bowlers to contend with a wet ball, a factor that often complicates bowling strategies.

Looking ahead, Hardik remains optimistic and focused on the positives. “Nothing, just to go and enjoy as much as we can and play good cricket, that’s been my motto from the start. I do not think we have played enough good cricket this season,” he concluded, expressing a desire to return to the fundamentals of the game and enhance their performance in future matches.

This loss for MI highlights the challenges teams often face in adapting to variable pitch conditions and maintaining momentum throughout the innings, a crucial aspect of T20 cricket. As the IPL progresses, MI’s ability to bounce back and adapt will be pivotal in their quest for better results.