‘Trying not to hit the panic button’ – Hardik Pandya looks to turn around team’s fortunes in IPL 2025 game versus DC

Match number 29 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to see table toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) take on Mumbai Indians (MI). Hardik Pandya and his side are ninth in the table after Sunrisers Hyderabad overtook them to go to eighth place post the eight wicket win over Punjab Kings. 

Both teams had played Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their last game with varying results. MI lost to RCB by 12 runs in what was a high-scoring contest despite half-century from Tilak Varma and quick fire 42 from Pandya. Delhi on the other hand beat RCB by six wickets thanks to KL Rahul’s 93 not out. 

Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first as both sides went in unchanged for the game. The only concern was Faf du Plessis’ fitness who seemed to have injured in the last game. South Africa’s former skipper wasn’t even part of the Impact players’ bench on Sunday. 

Hardik Pandya and MI looking for second win of the season

Speaking at the toss to Murali Karthik, skipper Hardik Pandya said, “Conversations are about where we are making mistakes. There's no lack of experience in this group. We're not far from having a good game. We're trying not to hit the panic button. Panicking doesn't help. We don't have much margin of error, hope everything comes good tonight.”

Axar Patel said, “We're chasing well, and it's the first match over here this season so don't know how the pitch will play. Don't trust numbers from the past too much. Challenge is to follow the plan properly and to be brave even if you get hit for a six.”

Focus will be on former skipper Rohit Sharma who has scored a mere 38 runs from four games so far this season. The 37-year-old has been dismissed by left-arm pacers twice and DC will be banking on Mitchell Starc to get the wicket of Rohit early. The onus will also on be the likes of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar who haven’t been able to fire with the ball so far.