Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya who failed to lead his team to chase down the record-breaking target praises SRH batters and said “Almost 500 runs were scored and the wicket was helping the batters”.
Hardik Pandya Praises SRH Batters Following their Outstanding Performance
As per the IPL 2024 schedule, Mumbai Indians are scheduled to face SRH on March 27 in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Mumbai Indians who played their first match of the season against Gujarat Titans lost the game by 6 runs and failed to break their decade-long jinx of losing their first match of the respective season.
SRH who played their first game of the season against KKR also lost their match by just 4 runs in a thrilling final over match.
Both teams who were desperate to register their first win of the season were scheduled to face each other in Hyderabad.
Winning the toss, Mumbai Indians opted to bowl first where Mayank Agarwal and Travis Head opened the inning on behalf of SRH.
With an outstanding performance from the SRH batters, Sunrisers Hyderabad broke an 11-year-long record for the highest total in IPL history created by RCB in IPL 2013.
Mumbai Indians failed to chase down the mammoth target and fell 31 runs short and lost their second consecutive game of the season.
While speaking in the post-match presentation, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya said “Not really (thought SRH would score 277 at the toss). Wicket was good, 277 no matter how bad or good you bowl, if the opposition has to score that much, they have batted well”.
“They (the bowlers) were good, it was tough out there, almost 500 runs were scored and the wicket was helping the batters, we could have done a few things here and there, but having said that, we have a young bowling attack and we will learn”.
“If the ball goes this many times into the crowd, you will need time to get the overs done. Everyone (the batters) looked good and it is just a matter of time before we put things right”.
When asked about Kwena Maphaka who made his IPL debut in the game against SRH, Hardik said: “He (Kwena Maphaka) was fantastic, coming into his first game and getting overwhelmed, he was alright and backed his skillset, just needs some game time”.
Mumbai Indians will play their next match of the season against Rajasthan Royals on April 1 in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
