The Mumbai Indians (MI) crashed out of the IPL 2025, after they lost to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 5 wickets in the Qualifier 2 of the tournament in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With this, PBKS qualified for the IPL 2025 final, where they will face RCB on Tuesday, June 3, also in Ahmedabad.

Mahela Jayawardena, the head coach, has been as active from the dugout as a captain is during the season. And Ahmedabad last night was no exception.  

Hardik was continuously receiving orders from an enthusiastic Jayawardena regarding field placements, tactics, and other matters. However, MI's chances of winning a record sixth IPL title were ultimately dashed, leaving just drab faces in the dugout.

Jayawardena's repeated signaling throughout the 16th over of the Punjab Kings' innings caused a range of emotions in those around him. Bumrah, who was fielding close to the boundary, appeared clearly amused by Jayawardena's performance, while batting coach Kieron Pollard couldn't help but smile.

Jayawardena was likely giving Hardik instructions, but the MI skipper might not have agreed or paid attention. Bumrah was compelled to smile as the situation became almost comical. Then, seeking explanations, he instantly turned to Rohit, who was seated in the dugout.

Here is the video:

"There could have been a lot of ifs and buts, but I think we didn't play a perfect game, and we paid for it. It was a good campaign for us, the way we started and how we regrouped as a team and played some really, really good cricket. We had our opportunities getting to the playoffs, and we had a really good game first up. Even today, I thought we played some good cricket, except for Kings playing better cricket than us, especially with the bat," Jayawardena said after the match.

The five-time champions were obviously damaged by Jasprit Bumrah's rare off-day, as he was taken for 40 runs. However, Jayawardene wasn't overly strict with his bowlers, suggesting that Bumrah wasn't the only player responsible for taking wickets. In addition, the coach gave Punjab credit for their outstanding performance in cricket.

"I thought the others, especially Ashwini, bowled well today. Mitch [Santner] bowled well, and then Hardik as well. So it wasn't just about Bumrah. He was trying to get those wickets up from and especially the Powerplay. Josh [Inglis] batted well. Overs 3-4, executed well, and it was a battle between that. Either you might get a wicke, or they take that advantage, and they took the advantage.

In phases, they batted well. We also came back and took the wickets and were in it. It's just that middle phase, we just couldn't control that after the 10th over, those 4-5 overs, we just couldn't keep the pressure going, and that's where, especially Nehal and Shreyas, their partnership probably took the game away from us,” Jayawardena signed off.