‘We were not upto the mark’: Hardik Pandya admits bowling shortcomings during RR loss

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya laid the blame of their loss against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati on Tuesday on their bowling unit. In a rain-curtailed game, RR struck 150 in 11 overs whilst batting first, as the experienced MI bowling unit was unable to execute their plans to perfection.

“We did not execute the deliveries we were supposed to (in powerplay). They (RR openers) played well. Bowlers need to take responsibility. As a bowling group, we were not up to the mark,” Pandya said, reflecting on the result.

Though the batting unit fell short of the target by 27 runs, Pandya did not point fingers at them for this setback.

“I would not put this game on the batting. Definitely the bowling unit which had to take responsibility. It is always about bowling those good balls. If we would have executed, we would have been in the game.”

Man of the Match Yashasvi Jaiswal (77 not out off 32 balls) and teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (39 off 14 balls) put on 80 runs for the opening wicket in just five overs to set up Rajasthan Royal’s win.

“They (RR openers) also played tremendously. Their openers threw us off our game and we were playing catch-up.”

Praising Sooryavanshi, Pandya said, “Quite fascinating to see a 17 or 16-year-old boy (15-year-old) play that way. Amazing to see the way he bats, the fearlessness he has. Wish him good luck for the future.”

On their next game, which is against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 12, Pandya said, “Just learn from the mistakes. Morning will come tomorrow, sun will rise, prepare well for the next game.”

MI started the season on a bright note, with a convincing win over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their first game. However, since then, they have dealt with losses against Delhi Capitals (DC) and RR on the road, and hence Pandya would be hoping for a happy homecoming in their forthcoming fixture.