'I could have managed my troops better': Hardik Pandya takes blame for MI's elimination from IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya took the blame for his team’s defeat to Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 2 on Sunday, as they were eliminated. It was the first time MI lost an IPL match despite posting a total of 200+ .

The stylish win for Punjab, which has now assured us of a new IPL champion with the final being against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Tuesday, was scripted by the captain, Shreyas Iyer , who hit a match-winning 87 off just 41 balls, helping his team complete the 204-run chase.

Hardik takes blame for MI’s elimination

Reacting to the heart-wrenching loss, Hardik did not shy away from admitting that Iyer out-batted his side while the bowlers failed in execution. He also blamed himself for not taking his team to a victory.

“The way Shreyas batted, took his chances and some of the shots he played were really outstanding,” Hardik Pandya said. “I think they definitely batted really well. I think it was par, but it needed some great execution as a bowling unit which I think in these big games it really matters. And as I mentioned they were really calm, put us under pressure and I think we were not able to execute the way we wanted.

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“I’ll not put it on the wicket, if we had to do something better it was to bowl right lengths, or bowl the right bowler at the right time. I’m someone who likes to take it all on me, and maybe I could have managed my troops a little better.”

MI have not reached the IPL final since 2020, when they last won the tournament.

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While discussing Bumrah not blowing the 17th over, when only 41 runs were needed, Pandya said in the moment it felt like the best call. Bumrah bowled the 18th over but couldn’t change much and finished wicketless on the day after giving away 40 runs in 4 overs.

“In hindsight, it would have been different (whether he should have bowled Bumrah with 41 needed of 4 overs) and it would have been too early as well, Boom knowing the situation if even 18 balls are left Jassi can be Jassi and he can do something special and it just didn’t happen today.”