After Ashutosh Sharma’s assault, Hardik Pandya said of MI’s “nervy” victory, “We Were Quite Soft in Certain Overs.”

In the IPL 2024, the Mumbai Indians defeated the Punjab Kings with a dramatic 9-run victory on Thursday at the Mullanpur Stadium in Mohali. In an incredible thriller, MI was able to set PBKS a target of 193 runs and then finish off the hosts for 183 runs in 19.1 overs.

MI captain Hardik Pandya praised his team’s performance in the victory and said that the team’s resolve was tested. “It was an excellent cricket match. It tried everyone’s nerves,” Pandya said.

He went on, “We did talk about the character being checked in this game before the game, and that’s what happened.”

At one point in the seventh over of the chase, Mumbai seemed to be the clear victors as Punjab struggled at 49 for the loss of half their side. However, Ashutosh Sharma’s brilliant innings enabled PBKS to come closer to the mark before MI eventually swept out the home team to grab two points.

Naturally, you believe that you are winning the game. However, we are aware that the IPL often produces these kinds of matches.

Ashutosh’s amazing 28-ball, 61-run knock almost got his team over the finish line, but in the 18th over, with Punjab still 25 runs short of their goal, Gerald Coetzee scalped him.

The 25-year-old received high marks from Pandya, who also reiterated that he has a bright future ahead of him.

“He was amazing—coming in and performing at that level. Nearly all of the balls that struck the center. The MI captain expressed his gratitude for the PBKS child by saying, “Happy for him and chuffed for his future.”

According to Pandya, there were discussions regarding the game’s ability to go to extra innings, and MI successfully bowled out PBKS in the last over of the second innings.

“We did say over the break that appearances are irrelevant. We’re going to keep fighting in this match,” the 30-year-old said.

Though he concluded by saying he was pleased with the win, he felt that his team was a little too soft and scruffy at various points in the match.

“In some of the overs, we were really soft. Still, a victory is a victory,” he said.