Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya scripted a massive record as captain in the IPL 2025 clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Saturday.
Opting to bowl, the premier Indian all-rounder ran through the top and lower order, including the wicket of the dangerous-looking Aiden Markram (53) to return figures of 5/36.
He also dismissed Nicholas Pooran (12), Rishabh Pant (2), David Miller (27) and Akash Deep (0) to restrict LSG to 203/8 in the stipulated 20 over.
In the process, he became the first captain in the lucrative tournament to scalp five wickets.
Best Bowling Figures In IPL By Captains
Hardik Pandya (MI) – 5/36 in four overs vs LSG in Lucknow (April 4, 2025)
Anil Kumble (RCB) – 4/16 in four overs vs Deccan Chargers in Johannesburg (May 24, 2009)
Anil Kumble (RCB) – 4/16 in 3.3 overs vs Deccan Chargers in Navi Mumbai (April 24, 2010)
Jean-Paul Duminy (DC) – 4/17 in three overs vs SRH in Visakhapatnam (April 18, 2015)
However, Mumbai Indians fell short by 12 runs in the last-over thriller, after Surya Kumar Yadav (67) and Naman Dhir (46) set the tempo in the chase with Hardik Pandya (28) adding crucial runs with his cameo innings.
“It has been disappointing when you lose. If we have to be honest, on the field, we gave away 10-15 runs on that wicket. I have always enjoyed my bowling (on his fifer). I don’t think I have many options. I try to read the wicket and try some smart options,” Pandya said after the match.
“I don’t try to go for wickets. I try to bowl dot balls and let the batters take risks. I think as a batting unit, we fell short. We win as a team. We lose as a team. Don’t want to point someone out. The ownership has to be taken by the whole batting unit. I take full ownership. It was obvious (on Tilak being retired out). We needed some hits. In cricket, some of those days come. When you try but it doesn’t come off. Just play good cricket. I like to keep it simple. Take better calls. Be smart in bowling. Take chances in batting. Play simple cricket with some aggression. As it is a long tournament, couple of wins and we might get into the rhythm,” he added.
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