Former India cricketers Sanjay Bangar and Sanjay Manjrekar weren’t happy with the credit for MI’s IPL 2025 win over DC in Delhi going only to Rohit Sharma. They felt that instead the credit should’ve been shared with MI captain Hardik Pandya and spinner Karn Sharma as well.
Mi defeated DC by 12 runs in a thrilling match. MI had posted 205/5 as Tilak Varma top-scored with 59, while Ryan Rickelton (41), Suryakumar Yadav (40), and Naman Dhir (38*) contributed as well.
In response, Karn Sharma destroyed DC's middle order with three wickets, while Karun Nair played a lone hand with 89 runs with 12 fours, and 5 sixes. His 119-run partnership with Abishek Porel (33) kept DC in the game, but the middle order collapse and three consecutive run-outs led to DC being bowled out for 193 runs.
While Karn Sharma's three wickets in the middle overs were seen as a turning point in the game, former MI captain Rohit Sharma was presented as the 'mastermind' behind Karn's introduction of the 'new ball' at the time. Former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar, on the other hand, were upset that Rohit was garnering headlines for the 'tactical shift' rather than skipper Hardik.
Even broadcaster Star Sports praised Rohit for the 'direction' to include Impact Player Karn Sharma in the attack. Rohit, who replaced Karn in the second innings, appears to have discussed the change with MI's bowling coach Paras Mhambrey before expressing it to head coach Mahela Jayawardene, who then advised captain Hardik to follow suit.
As the Mumbai Indians won a closely contested match, social media exploded with praise for Rohit's tactical masterstroke, despite being a bench player. Commentators Sanjay Bangar and Sanjay Manjrekar were not pleased.
"The credit behind the victory went to Rohit Sharma, but it should've been Karn Sharma and Hardik Pandya. While Karn was the one executed, Hardik gave instructions,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports during commentary.
"There are many people who are there to give suggestions but it all depends on the person in the middle who has to take the decision. He (Hardik) listened to the advice (from Rohit) is the biggest thing. If you give Rohit credit here as well and not Hardik Pandya, it would be the wrong thing. If the suggestion had failed, you would've blamed Hardik. It's quite easy to give suggestions from outside. The entire credit for this (victory), should go to Hardik Pandya. Considering how emotional he has been (over Mumbai's recent results), it was an important win for him. It has been quite a difficult journey for him. Would be wrong if social media and others say that Mumbai Indians won because of Rohit Sharma's suggestions. Hardik Pandya is the captain, and he is the one taking decisions, no matter who is giving suggestions,” Manjrekar said on the same show.
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