In a vital Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 encounter on the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, Punjab Kings (PBKS) delivered a commanding efficiency to defeat Mumbai Indians (MI) by seven wickets, reserving a direct berth in Qualifier 1 and relegating MI to the Eliminator spot.
The aftermath of the match noticed former India opener Virender Sehwag take a refined but pointed dig at Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya, questioning his tactical selections through the contest.
Punjab Kings outclass Mumbai Indians in Jaipur
Requested to bat first, Mumbai Indians posted a aggressive 184/7 of their 20 overs, with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with a fluent 57 and Hardik offering a late flourish. Nonetheless, Punjab Kings’ chase was anchored by a 109-run partnership between Priyansh Arya (62 off 35) and Josh Inglis (73 off 42), which took the sport away from MI. Regardless of two fast wickets from Mitchell Santner, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer guided his aspect house with an unbeaten 26, because the Kings reached 187/3 in simply 18.3 overs.
The win propelled Punjab Kings to the highest of the IPL 2025 factors desk, securing a Qualifier 1 spot for the primary time in 11 years, whereas Mumbai Indians, regardless of a robust season, now face the riskier route by way of the Eliminator.
Virender Sehwag takes a jibe at Hardik Pandya
Sehwag, by no means one to mince phrases, expressed disappointment with Hardik’s bowling modifications through the match. Talking on air, Sehwag remarked, “Deepak Chahar bowled two overs even after nursing his damage. This was the identical factor I identified whereas I used to be calling the sport. He gave away 28 runs in these two overs, which shifted the momentum in direction of Punjab. Hardik might’ve very effectively used Bumrah in that part.”
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Sehwag’s feedback implied that Pandya missed a trick by not turning to his most dependable bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, throughout a important juncture when Punjab’s batters had been constructing momentum. As a substitute, the choice to stick with an injured Chahar backfired, permitting PBKS to grab management of the chase.
“If Bumrah, Hardik or Ashwani Kumar had bowled that over as an alternative of Deepak Chahar, the 17 runs that went in that over wouldn’t have gone. He [Hardik] disillusioned me lots together with his bowling modifications as a captain. He didn’t make the modifications when required, and Mumbai went on the again foot due to that,” the previous India opener added.
As Punjab Kings have a good time a historic top-two end, Mumbai Indians should regroup rapidly for the Eliminator.
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