Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) easily beat Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Wankhede stadium on Wednesday. This win also ensured MI’s passage into the IPL 2025 playoffs post the 59-run win over DC. Hardik Pandya’s son Agastya was in the stands cheering for his father during the MI vs DC encounter. Social media posted a short video of Pandya Jr. chanting in MI’s favor.
Ever since his separation with his wife Natasa Stankovic, the 31-year-old has been spending more time with son during his time away from cricket. Hardik Pandya who focuses solely on the white-ball format has turned around MI’s fortunes this season with his captaincy.
At one stage, Mumbai were ninth in the table after five games with just one win. This was followed by six successive wins that took MI to the cusp of playoffs. That winning run was halted when Pandya’s former side Gujarat Titans beat MI in a last-ball thriller. Win over DC at home, finally put MI in the final four stages of the tournament with one more game left to play.
Can MI end their season on a high?
If Mumbai Indians wins their final game against Punjab Kings, they will move to 18 points. Hardik Pandya will hope to win the game and also other results going in his teams favor to end the season in the top two spots. The Men in Blue and Gold though will lose the services of Ryan Rickelton, Will Jacks, and Corbin Bosch for the playoffs.
Jonny Bairstow, who was signed on a short team deal has landed in India and posted a picture of himself in MI’s team kit. The 35-year-old will also be joined by English pacer Richard Gleeson and Sri Lankan ODI skipper Charith Asalanka. The trio will be in the running to play the playoff matches with Bairstow set to replace Rickelton.
Speaking about Hardik Pandya, the 31-year-old was lauded for his captaincy skills this season. Former India batter Ajay Jadeja praised MI’s captain during his chat on Jio Hotstar. Jadeja said, “Hardik has been fabulous. He has got the energy. He has got a different style of captaining. Unfortunately, last season wasn’t a success. He has kept his cool. He has carried on the way he captains, whether he was at GT, whether it was last year, He is an excellent motivator. He is one man who has shown he never gives up. Yes, there is an excellent analytical team out there who is helping him out. But the energy that he brings in.”
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