'We Were Quite Soft in Certain Overs': Hardik Pandya on MI's 'Nervy' Win After Ashutosh Sharma Assault

Mumbai Indians registered a thrilling 9-run win over Punjab Kings on Thursday at the Mullanpur Stadium in Mohali in IPL 2024. MI managed to set PBKS a target of 193 runs and managed to wrap up the hosts for 183 runs in 19.1 overs to clinch an absolute thriller.

MI skipper Hardik Pandya lauded his side’s effort in the win and expressed that the side’s mettle was put to the test. “It was a very good game of cricket. Everyone’s nerves were tested,” Pandya began.

“We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game and that’s what happened,” he continued.

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Mumbai looked like runaway winners at one point as Punjab were struggling at 49 for the loss of half their side in the seventh over of the chase, but a blinder from Ashutosh Sharma helped PBKS close in on the target before MI ultimately bundled out the home side to claim two points.

“Naturally you think you’re ahead in the game. But we know that the IPL has a tendency to produce these games,”

Ashutosh’s incredible 28-ball-61 runs knock nearly helped his side over the finish line, but he was scalped by Gerald Coetzee with Punjab still 25 runs away from their target in the 18th over.

Pandya heaped praise on the 25-year-old and iterated that he has a big future ahead of him.

“He was unbelievable – coming in and playing like that. Almost every ball hitting the middle. Happy for him and chuffed for his future,” the MI skipper said in appreciation of the PBKS youngster.

Pandya revealed conversations about the potential in the game to go the distance and that is what transpired as MI bundled out PBKS in the final over of the second innings.

“We did speak in the timeout that it doesn’t matter how good we look. We’ll keep scrapping in this game,” the 30-year-old said.

He opined that his side were rather soft and scrappy during certain phases of the game, but signed off by stating that he was happy with the victory.

“We were quite soft in certain overs. Nevertheless, a win is a win,” he concluded.