Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya has come under fierce criticism after his tactics were exposed by the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) batters during their IPL 2024 match on Wednesday. SRH entered the history books, smashing the biggest-ever team total in the history of the IPL. The Pat Cummins-led side registered 277/3 to break the previous IPL best of 263-5 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2013. MI’s 17-year-old South African pacer Kwena Maphaka conceded 66 runs in four overs.
Jasprit Bumrah was the most economical bowler for MI, conceding 36 runs from his quota with one wicket in the bag.
However, he bowled just one over in the powerplay. He was only brought back into the attack in the 13th over, but by that time, SRH were already 173/3.
Former SRH head coach Tom Moody criticised Hardik for not utilising his “best bowler” in Bumrah.
“Where is Jasprit Bumrah?? Game nearly done and your best bowler has only bowled ONE over!,” Moody posted on X.
Speaking after the match, Moody said that Hardik made a mistake by starving Bumrah in the powerplay.
“One of the priorities in powerplay cricket is wickets and he is your best wicket-taker and he always will be your best wicket-taker and for him to be starved of that opportunity and Mumbai to be starved of that opportunity to try to stem the flow of this onslaught. It doesn’t seem right,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo.
Moody further lauded Bumrah, labelling him as the best bowler in the format.
“When you’ve got the best bowler in this format in the world if not all formats in the world, he’s certainly this format of the world he’s your go-to person. For him to bowl one over, you know, in the first 10 overs. I totally get if they want to use a couple of swing bowling options in the first or second over I understand that. But for me, Jasprit Bumrah has to bowl two overs in the powerplay, purely because of what he brings to the table,” he added.
