In a nail-biting encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched a thrilling 4-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2025, thanks to an all-round masterclass from captain Hardik Pandya. The match, played on April 16, 2025, showcased Pandya’s prowess with both bat and ball, steering MI to their third win of the season.
SRH, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a competitive 165/7 in their 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the charge with a brisk 62 off 41 balls, laced with three sixes, while Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with a quickfire 34. However, Pandya’s disciplined bowling turned the tide for MI. The all-rounder struck early, removing Travis Head for a duck and later breaking SRH’s momentum by dismissing Klaasen. His figures of 3/28 in four overs, coupled with tight spells from Jasprit Bumrah (2/25), restricted SRH from crossing the 170-mark.
Chasing 166, MI’s innings got off to a rocky start as SRH’s pace spearhead Pat Cummins dismissed openers Rohit Sharma (12) and Ishan Kishan (8) inside the powerplay. With MI reeling at 34/3, Pandya walked in and took charge. His aggressive intent was evident as he counterattacked Bhuvneshwar Kumar, smashing two boundaries in an over. Tilak Varma played the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with a steady 40 off 32 balls. The duo stitched a crucial 76-run partnership, bringing MI back into the contest.
The chase wasn’t without drama. SRH fought back with quick wickets, reducing MI to 132/6 in the 17th over. With 34 needed off the last three overs, Pandya unleashed his finishing skills. A towering six off T Natarajan in the 18th over shifted the momentum, and his calm head in the final over sealed the deal. Pandya remained unbeaten on 54 off 29 balls, guiding MI home with two balls to spare.
Post-match, Pandya credited the team’s resilience: “It was a tough chase, but we backed ourselves to stay in the fight. The boys showed great character.” The victory propelled MI to fourth in the points table, while SRH slipped to sixth. As IPL 2025 heats up, Pandya’s all-round brilliance has sent a strong message to MI’s rivals.
