IPL 2022: “Our batters let us down," says Hardik Pandya after GT’s loss to MI

GT suffered their third defeat in the ongoing IPL season.

By Abhishek Ghan - 07 May, 2022

On being asked to bat first after losing the toss, Mumbai Indians (MI) on the back of some good knocks by skipper Rohit Sharma  (43 off 28 balls), Ishan Kishan (45 off 29 balls), and brilliant hitting from Tim David (44* off 21 balls) down the order posted a score of 177/6 in their 20 overs against Gujarat Titans (GT).

Chasing 178, GT got off to a great start with both the openers, Wriddhiman Saha (55 off 40 balls) and Shubman Gill (52 off 36 balls), scoring brilliant half-centuries. Once the openers were dismissed, the Titans lost their skipper Hardik Pandya to a run-out. Sai Sudharshan had hit Pollard for a six before in an attempt to pull a slow bouncer loses the bottom hand on the bat and was out hit wicket. 

In the last over, the chasing team needed just 9 to win. Daniel Sams had the ball in hand and he produced one of the most outstanding last overs in the history of the IPL. Sams gave away just 3 runs, allowing his side to register their second victory of the season.

SEE ALSO:  I had nothing to lose - Daniel Sams after bowling splendid last over against GT

Hardik remarked after the game while speaking to Star Sports that he didn't want to make excuses but the Titans' batting was a big disappointment.

"On any day, we'd take 9 off the last over. The two run-outs cost us the game. I think batters let us down," he said.

"In T20s, you can't lose back-to-back games... no blame games as we have cleared such games," 

The all-rounder admitted that his team made "rookie" mistakes and that the match should not have gone to the final over.

"We have made rookie mistakes which cost us this one. We played good cricket for 19.2 overs in our innings, one or two hits would have made a difference. We should not have let it come down to the last over," said the star player.

With a few league matches remaining, Gujarat Titans are the clear favorites to make it to the playoffs. They will next take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday (May 10) at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

(INDIA TODAY INPUTS)

By Abhishek Ghan - 07 May, 2022

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