Ahmedabad: Hardik Pandya delivered a strong response to criticism around Jasprit Bumrah’s early-season wicket drought, asserting that team strategy—not individual blame—dictates how the star pacer is used.
Bumrah strikes instantly in powerplay
Bumrah made an immediate impact for Mumbai Indians against Gujarat Titans, dismissing Sai Sudharsan off the very first ball of the innings.
After going wicketless in his first five matches of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, the breakthrough marked a significant moment for the premier fast bowler. Bumrah finished with tidy figures of 1/15 in three overs as MI defended a total of 199.
“Not a Hardik Pandya problem”
Addressing questions about Bumrah not regularly bowling the first over, Pandya gave a candid and firm reply.
“I’ve seen people ask why Jasprit hasn’t bowled the first over. In over 150 matches, he’s done it only a handful of times. It’s not a Hardik Pandya problem,” he said.
Pandya emphasised that Bumrah’s unique skillset means he is deployed based on match situations rather than fixed roles.
“He’s so special that you use him wherever required for the team. Today we wanted early impact, and there’s no one better,” he added.
Tilak Varma powers MI with record knock
Earlier, Tilak Varma stole the show with a blistering unbeaten 101 off 45 balls, helping MI post 199/5.
He was supported by Naman Dhir, who contributed a valuable 45 as Mumbai recovered strongly after early setbacks.
Complete team effort seals big win
Mumbai’s bowling unit complemented the batting effort with a dominant display. Ashwani Kumar starred with figures of 4/24, while Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar chipped in with two wickets each.
Pandya praised the team’s overall execution, highlighting discipline with the ball and sharp fielding as key factors.
MI gain momentum in IPL 2026
The win helped Mumbai Indians snap a four-match losing streak and climb to seventh in the standings with four points from six matches.
They will next face arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings on April 23 in a crucial encounter.
Conclusion
Hardik Pandya’s firm backing of Jasprit Bumrah underlines the team-first approach within Mumbai Indians. With Bumrah back among the wickets and the team finding form, MI appear poised to build momentum in the IPL 2026 season.