‘I liked what I saw’ - Hardik Pandya reflects on Mumbai Indians’ bowling performance against SRH

The recently concluded clash between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024 made history. Batting first, Hyderabad managed to notch up the highest total ever posted by a side in the tournament’s 17-year-old history. After spectacular showings by the batters, SRH managed to score a total of 277 runs in the first innings of the game.

Conceding 277 runs in the first innings, Mumbai did put in a resilient effort with the bat during the run chase, but eventually fell short and lost the game by 31 runs. Notably, the day was a miserable one for the Mumbai bowlers. The likes of Gerald Coetzee, Jasprit Bumrah, Kwena Maphaka, and Hardik Pandya proved to be very expensive. In fact, none of the bowlers barring Bumrah had a single-digit economy rate.

However, skipper Pandya came forward to the bowling line-up’s defence in the game, opining that it was a young bowling attack and that he liked the way he saw them bowl.

“The wicket was good. I think SRH batted really, really well. It was tough for the bowlers. 277. no matter how good or bad you bowl, if the opposition gets 277 that means they batted very well. We tried as a bowling unit, but couldn't get the breakthroughs. We could have tried a few things, but we have a young bowling attack. I liked what I saw,” Pandya said at the post-match ceremony.

I think Kwena Maphaka was fantastic: Pandya

Furthermore, Pandya talked about the performance of 17-year-old Kwena Maphaka. The debutant had a forgettable evening, conceding 66 runs in four overs and not managing to take a single wicket. However, Pandya came forward to Maphaka’s defence, stating that he just needs some game time.

“I think he was fantastic, you know. Coming into your first game and getting overwhelmed by this kind of crowd, and he showed he had the heart. Even though he went for runs, he looked alright, he wanted to back his skill sets and that's something that's fantastic. He has the skill set, just that he needs some game time,” the skipper added.