Forgive those who predicted 300 runs on the board in an innings when Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad were going to light up the night sky in the IPL 2025.
What it turned out to be in a low-scoring contest was a professional performance from MI, a side filled with superstars, finally settling into rhythm. The end turned out to be one of joy and celebration for the MI fans, as Hardik Pandya’s men had defeated Pat Cummins’s motley mix by four wickets.
Indeed, for MI to gnaw their way back into this edition of the IPL from the bottom of the table to now stay at seventh position with six points from seven matches is not that bad. They still have matches on hand. As has been the trend, MI are picking up the threads, stitching it together as a team and showcasing their potential. For those who think one man or just one superstar, Will Jacks (3-0-14-2), with his tweakers and 36 runs off 26 balls made the difference, don’t get the narrative wrong.
Yes, Will was the Jack of all trades, shining in multi roles. Here is a side still in transition under Hardik Pandya as captain, after he took over the leader’s role in 2024. Hardik was invested in, as the MI management felt he had the skills to lead. The kind of backlash Pandya faced from fans in the 2024 season after moving from Gujarat Titans was crazy, though people started accepting him, later.
In the 2025 IPL season, there have been starting problems for MI. However, if you have watched Hardik Pandya lead, he is doing a great balancing act. Captaincy is a style, an art, it’s also about man management. Given the star cast of MI with Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav in it, to ensure they do well is not easy. No feathers can be ruffled, though Hardik on the field has been seen as someone with a cool head. With the bat, he scored 21 runs off nine balls on Thursday night, quenching the thirst of MI fans. It is important he is able to fire up the strike rate and ensure wickets were not lost. Pandya also bowled, where his 4-0-42-1 was acceptable as the SRH batters were not able to set up a big score.
The fear for MI was how the SRH top order would shape up. Abhishek Sharma scored 40 and Travis Head 28, but the pre-match predictions were these two could tear the MI attack. That did not happen. And for the MI bowlers to keep a check on SRH was good. The return of Jasprit Bumrah to the MI side, after a near three-month break has been important. The rock star of Indian pace bowling had to spend three months plus, away from cricket, with his back injury still a mystery. On return, he has been bowling beautifully. If he had handled the marauding Delhi Capitals batter Karun Nair five days back sensibly, to come in as the first change bowler has been a clear strategy. To finish with figures of 4-0-21-2 is neat for Bumrah, even as Deepak Chahar went for runs. Trent Boult was better in comparison, though.
So much rides on Bumrah, he instils fear and at the same time ensured batters are cramped for space while executing shots. He will be even more important in the remaining matches for MI. If the former champions can sustain the tempo and retain the winning sequence, it will be good. The best part, MI are functioning as a team unit, though fans would like to see runs from the bat of Rohit Sharma. However, make no mistake, whether he scores well or not in the IPL, he will lead India in the five-Test series this summer in England. In a chat with Michael Clarke two days back, Rohit talked of what he expects from the team. Most importantly, he wants to carry a full-fit and fired-up Bumrah to England and lead the attack.
No narration is complete minus a mention of how SRH are finding it tough this season. Over-reliance on Abhishek and Travis Head has been an error. Ishan Kishan and Nitish Reedy look prosaic. Nitish’s seems a case of overhype, excess PR drive and not able to perform. As for Pat Cummins the captain, his own bowling has been good, with an analysis of 4-0-26-3. The worry is, the teamwork which was on view in the 2024 edition of the IPL is missing this time.
Given the long format of the IPL, there is scope for teams to bounce back. SRH have not done well in away matches and are placed ninth, above Chennai Super Kings. The race to the Top 4 will be interesting, where peaking will be important. Easier said than done.