IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya Reflects on MI’s Loss to GT: “We Fell Short in All Departments”

Mumbai Indians captain admits team errors and missed execution cost them the game as Gujarat Titans hand them a 36-run defeat at Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, March 30: After a 36-run defeat to Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya admitted his team underperformed in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding—during their second match of IPL 2025.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Pandya was candid about the shortcomings.

“We were 15–20 runs short with both bat and ball. We made basic fielding errors that cost us an additional 20–25 runs—huge in a T20 match,” he said. “GT openers batted brilliantly, and their slower balls were tough to face on this surface. It’s early days in the tournament, but the batters need to step up.”

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🔹 GT Bat First, Set Competitive Total

MI had elected to bowl first, but GT openers Shubman Gill (38) and Sai Sudharsan (63) gave their side a rock-solid start with a 78-run opening stand. Sudharsan later built another fifty-run partnership with Jos Buttler (39). Although GT stumbled after reaching 179/4, losing three wickets in quick succession, they still posted a competitive 196/8 in 20 overs.

Hardik Pandya (2/29) led MI’s bowling, while Boult, Mujeeb, Chahar, and Raju chipped in with one wicket each.

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🔹 MI’s Chase Falters Despite Brief Resistance

MI’s run chase got off to a shaky start, losing Rohit Sharma (8) and Ryan Rickelton (6) early. Though Tilak Varma (39) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 off 28) staged a brief comeback with a 62-run partnership, the innings lost momentum after their dismissals. MI eventually fell short, ending at 160/6.

GT’s pace attack was led by Prasidh Krishna (2/18) and Mohammed Siraj (2/34), while Rabada and Sai Kishore added one wicket each.

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🔹 Hardik on the Surface and Strategy

Hardik noted that the two-paced wicket made it difficult for batters to settle, and GT’s bowlers exploited it perfectly.

“On this wicket, slower balls were toughest to deal with—some bounced, others stayed low. Credit to their execution. They did exactly what I tried with the ball,” Pandya added.

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🔹 Where Do MI Go from Here?

This loss extends MI’s winless start to the season and adds pressure on Pandya, who returned to captaincy after serving a one-match ban for a slow over rate. While MI showed promise in patches, they now need consistent performances across departments to get their campaign back on track.

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