IPL 2024: We could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs – Hardik Pandya after loss against Delhi Capitals

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya feels they could taken some more chances in the middle overs after their 10-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Saturday. DC posted a par score of 257 runs on the board after Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first.

MI lost three wickets in the Powerplay overs as they found themselves in some trouble at 65-3 with Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav getting dismissed cheaply. Tilak Varma scored 65 runs off 32 balls whereas Hardik Pandya also played a good hand of 46 runs off 24 balls.

Tim David scored a fine cameo of 17-ball 37 but DC just had enough in the bank. Pandya reckons his batters could have gone a bit hard in the middle overs against Axar Patel.

Meanwhile, Rasikh Dar Salam was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi Capitals as he returned with impressive figures of 3-34 in his quota of four overs. Salam conceded his runs at an economy rate of 8.50 and gave away only seven runs in the 17th over he bowled.

Hardik Pandya said after the loss, “This game is becoming more and more closer. It (the difference) used to be a couple of overs, now it’s becoming a couple of balls. Because of the kind of games and how the bowlers are under pressure, we backed ourselves to do it. If I had to pick something out, we could have taken a couple of more chances in the middle overs. The left-handers could have probably gone after Axar a little bit, it’s something we missed out in terms of game awareness.”

Pandya also showered praise on DC opener Jake Fraser-McGurk, who scored a blistering knock of 84 runs off just 27 balls. The Australian was able to hit the ground running and smashed 11 fours and six maximums in his whirlwind knock, striking at 311.11.

Pandya concluded, “It was quite amazing the way he batted, he took calculated risks, he played the field really well. It shows the fearlessness of youth.”

Asked if he would’ve done something different at the toss, Pandya said, “Not really.”

Mumbai Indians will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday.