Hardik Pandya’s leadership continues to bear fruit for Mumbai Indians, and the skipper was deservedly recognised inside the team’s dressing room after a commanding win over Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. On Thursday, May 1, Pandya received a special batting award for his unbeaten 48 off just 23 balls—a knock that helped propel MI to their most dominant win of the season.
Following the game, head coach Mahela Jayawardene called on Ryan Rickelton, who was named Player of the Match for his 61 off 38, to present a unique batting badge to Pandya in front of the entire squad. The gesture wasn’t just symbolic; it acknowledged Pandya’s crucial role in delivering a knockout blow that all but flattened the Royals in Jaipur.
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Pandya’s innings, laced with six boundaries and a towering six, came at a staggering strike rate of 208.70. His partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who also hammered 48 off 23, added the finishing touch to the solid foundation laid by Rickelton and Rohit Sharma (53 off 36), as MI finished with a mammoth 217/2 in their 20 overs.
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In reply, Rajasthan Royals collapsed under the scoreboard pressure, folding for just 117. The 100-run thrashing marked MI’s most comprehensive victory this season and lifted them to the top of the points table with 7 wins from 11 matches.
In a jubilant post-match dressing room moment shared on social media, Hardik Pandya reflected on the complete performance. “As MJ said, it was clinical. I’m proud of the way we batted. I think this competition was missing that level of batsmanship, and we delivered today,” he said. “Let’s carry this forward. Be humble. Stay together.”
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Credit must also go to MI’s bowlers. Trent Boult led the charge with 3/28, while Jasprit Bumrah was typically frugal, taking 2/15. Leg-spinner Karn Sharma added to RR’s misery with a three-wicket haul, sealing a memorable night for the five-time champions.
