‘Many questions, it will take some time to answer’: Pandya after MI’s 8th loss in IPL 2024

On By Vaseline

It was a crushing defeat for Mumbai Indians as they fell victim to the Kolkata Knight Riders by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, breaking the 12-year streak of MI being unbeaten on their home ground against the two-time champions.

Hardik Pandya led the five-time championship-winning team and was critical of the side’s batting unit, which was unable to stay calm under pressure. The home team lost its top-3 hitters in the power play, bringing the visitors back into the game.

“Obviously, we couldn’t form partnerships while batting and kept losing wickets. If you don’t form partnerships in T20s, it will cost you,” Pandya said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

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Looking back on the defeat, Pandya didn’t have much else to say as the team now sits ninth on the points table and their chances of a top-4 spot are well and truly over.

“Not much, there are a lot of questions that will take some time to answer, but for now there is not much to say,” the MI skipper said.

READ MORE: IPL 2024: Kolkata Knight Riders beat Mumbai Indians in Wankhede after 12 years

But he reflected on the positives, especially the bowling unit, which put in one of their best performances as a unit. Nuwan Dushara led from the front with three wickets in the powerplay while Jasprit Bumrah picked up three coming in at the death. Piyush Chawla also picked up a wicket while the skipper took two.

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“As you said, the bowlers did a fantastic job, the wicket got a little better after the first innings and the dew came down,” Hardik said.

“We will go through the game and see what we could have done better,” Pandya added

However, as he concluded, he gave fighting words that MI’s hopes will not be lost as they have three matches left in the season which they plan to end on a positive note.