When the rain subsided in Mumbai, Gujarat Titans (GT) needed just 15 runs from the final over to claim victory against Mumbai Indians (MI), leaving MI with a crucial decision: who would bowl it? Deepak Chahar or Hardik Pandya? Deepak Chahar, having bowled only two overs, was chosen, while Hardik Pandya, the captain, had delivered just one.
Mahela Jayawardene, MI’s head coach, justified the choice, saying, “Deepak was our main bowler at that point.” However, former cricketer Katey Martin had a different perspective. “You always want your skipper to step up,” she remarked, highlighting the leadership Pandya could have demonstrated in such a key moment.
The match, extended into Wednesday due to rain delays, was a nail-biter. Despite a valiant effort, Chahar gave away a four and a six, with a no-ball further complicating matters. GT clinched the win off the last ball, marking the end of MI’s six-match winning streak.
Reflecting on the outcome, Jayawardene noted, “Deepak did that job for us when Booms [Jasprit Bumrah] was not there [in earlier games]. The issue wasn’t the decision; it was the execution. We lost the game when we had control. That was disappointing.”
On ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, Martin expressed, “Hardik typically bowls the crucial over. Even though he struggled earlier, you’d expect him to rise to the occasion.” Hardik had an expensive over prior, conceding 18 with a mix of wides and no-balls.
Panellist Abhinav Mukund echoed that MI’s approach during GT’s chase left the game to drift, particularly during the middle overs. “They let the game drift in that middle phase,” he said. MI’s strategic plan usually involves optimising Bumrah’s overs throughout the innings, yet GT forced a rethink with their aggressive play.
The match also saw Shubman Gill earning the Player-of-the-Match accolade for his determined 43 off 46 balls. It was a clear reminder of how even well-laid plans need to adapt when faced with spirited opposition.
