Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya defended his bowling unit following their 31-run loss against SunRisers Hyderabad. Pandya said he liked what he saw from his bowlers despite SRH posting the highest-ever total in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, March 27. The Hyderabad-based franchise posted 277 for 3 in the first innings before restricting Mumbai Indians to 246 for 5 to register their first win of the season.
Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Pandya said they tried to restrict SRH as a bowling unit, while insisting that he liked what he saw from his bowlers in Hyderabad. The home side broke the 11-year-old record held by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to post the highest-ever total in the history of the competition.
“The wicket was good. I think SRH batted really, really well. It was tough for the bowlers. 277, no matter how good or bad you bowl, if the opposition get 277 that means they batted very well. We tried as a bowling unit, but couldn’t get the breakthroughs. We could have tried a few things, but we have a young bowling attack. I liked what I saw,” said Pandya.
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Speaking about 18-year-old debutant pacer Kwena Maphaka, Pandya said the South African fast-bowler showed heart and has the skillset to excel for them. Maphaka had an IPL debut to forget, conceding the most runs by an IPL debutant and also a Mumbai Indians bowler in the history of the tournament.
“I think he was fantastic you know. Coming into your first game and getting overwhelmed by this kind of crowd and he showed he had the heart. Even though he went for runs, he looked alright, he wanted to back his skillsets and that’s something that’s fantastic. He has the skillset, just that he needs some game time,” Pandya added.
Following their defeat in Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians will turn their attention towards Rajasthan Royals, with the two sides set to lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, April 1. Meanwhile, SRH will take on last year’s finalists Gujarat Titans in their next game in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 31.
