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Mumbai Indians defeated Gujarat Titans by 99 runs, with Hardik Pandya praising Jasprit Bumrah's performance after he took his first wicket of the season. Pandya clarified that Bumrah rarely bowls the first over for tactical reasons, not due to any issue with him.
Mumbai Indiansâ emphatic 99-run win over Gujarat Titans was defined by Tilak Varmaâs brilliance, but skipper Hardik Pandya made it clear that a key tactical call with the ball also played a decisive role.
One of the biggest talking points was the decision to hand the new ball to Jasprit Bumrah, a move that paid off instantly as he struck with the very first delivery to remove Sai Sudharsan. It was also a significant moment for Bumrah personally, as this was his first wicket of the season, coming in his sixth match.
Addressing the long-standing question around why Bumrah does not usually bowl the first over, Hardik offered a clear explanation.
âIâve seen a lot of people go, why Jassie has never bowled. But if you see, itâs been 138 [151] appearances and I think 8 or 9 times Jasprit has bowled the first over. So I donât think itâs a Hardik Pandya problem.â
He emphasised that Bumrahâs role is defined by impact rather than convention.
âItâs just that Jasprit Bumrah is so special that you use him wherever itâs required for the team, not when you start. But yeah, today was something we realized, that we really want to make an impact with the new ball, and no oneâs better than him.â
That early breakthrough set the tone for MIâs dominance, as GT never recovered from the blow and were eventually bowled out for 100.
Hardik also highlighted how crucial the win was for the group, especially given their struggles this season and the challenge of playing in Ahmedabad.
âItâs always challenging to go away and win. Ahmedabad has been something which is very tough for us as the Mumbai Indians. And yeah, we just played good cricket. It feels very special because it was much needed.â
The MI captain was equally vocal about the turning point with the bat, revealing how his message to Tilak Varma during the strategic break was simple and direct.
âI realized the kind of talent Tilak has, he really does not need to worry about a lot. The only message I kept telling him was that youâre gonna just watch the ball and hit the ball irrespective of what. I genuinely believe the kind of ball striking from his bat is something really special.â
Hardik admitted the intensity of the moment, saying, âA couple of times I went so loud that I kind of got dizzy. But it was much needed for the group, for Tilak, and for Mumbai Indians.â
He reserved special praise for the younger players who stepped up in a must-win game.
âReally amazing by the youngsters. Mumbai Indians needed that as a group. The debutant Krish, coming and bowling right areas, showing the right intent. Ashwani coming and bowling, really amazing, taking 4-fers. He changed the momentum for us. Special mention to Naman as well.â
Hardik Pandya defended Jasprit Bumrah's bowling position by explaining that Bumrah has only bowled the first over in 8 or 9 out of 151 appearances, indicating it's a tactical choice.
Jasprit Bumrah performed well by taking his first wicket of the season with his very first delivery, helping Mumbai Indians secure a 99-run victory.
Bumrah's first wicket this season was significant as it marked a crucial moment in the match, contributing to Mumbai Indians' emphatic win over Gujarat Titans.

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For Hardik, this was more than just a win. It felt like a shift in momentum.