In a high-octane clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians faced a formidable challenge from Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024. The encounter witnessed an extraordinary batting display from SRH, rewriting IPL records with a monumental total of 277 runs in the first innings.
As Mumbai Indians embarked on their chase, their openers Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma displayed promise with scores of 35 and 26 runs, respectively. Tilak Varma’s explosive innings of 64 runs off just 34 deliveries and Tim David’s unbeaten 42* off 22 balls injected hope into Mumbai’s pursuit of the daunting target.
WATCH – Hardik Pandya Faces Fan Backlash: Trolls Hurl Shoes and Objects During IPL Match
However, the turning point in the match arrived with Mumbai’s skipper, Hardik Pandya’s performance. Despite his contribution of 24 runs off 20 deliveries, maintaining a strike rate of 120, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed skepticism. Pathan took to social media, questioning Pandya’s strike rate amidst the team’s ambitious chase, emphasizing the need for a higher tempo.
“If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120,” Irfan Pathan tweeted.
If the whole team is playing with the strike of 200, Captain can’t bat with the batting strike rate of 120.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 27, 2024
