Mumbai Indians’ strategy in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings has been called into question, particularly regarding Hardik Pandya and Mitchell Santner’s limited bowling. Despite a strong total of 203, MI couldn’t prevent PBKS from a comfortable chase, raising eyebrows over tactical decisions.
Hardik and Santner, key bowlers for MI, surprisingly bowled only two overs each. Former players Varun Aaron and Tom Moody expressed their confusion over this decision on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show. Aaron emphasised, “Hardik, Santner and [Jasprit] Bumrah were expected to bowl 12 overs collectively. I’m not sure why Hardik didn’t complete his full quota. He’s bowled on this wicket many times for Gujarat Titans; he should have bowled four overs.”
Hardik’s brief spell was mixed; he claimed the crucial wicket of Josh Inglis while conceding only two runs in his first over. His second over was more expensive, giving away 17 runs. Despite the setback, Aaron maintains, “He looked hard to score off, especially in his first over. Even though he conceded runs later, his strategy was sound, using back-of-length deliveries and slower bouncers effectively.”
Moody suggested a missed catch by Trent Boult might have disrupted MI’s plans. “Hardik deserved a better result from his second over,” noted Moody. “Boult’s drop likely led to a rethink, but Hardik should have persevered. He was executing well, and his absence in later overs was a missed opportunity.”
The critique extended to Reece Topley’s unexpected third over, where he conceded 19 runs in crucial circumstances. Moody remarked on Topley’s lack of match readiness, explaining, “He seemed like a net bowler thrust into high-pressure cricket. Transitioning from nets to real matches isn’t straightforward, especially in clutch situations.”
In hindsight, these tactical choices might have altered the game’s trajectory. Iyer’s remarkable three consecutive sixes off Topley significantly eased the run chase, reducing the required run rate and shifting the momentum.
The match highlighted areas for reflection for MI’s strategists, urging a balance between experimental and proven tactics, particularly during pivotal matches.
