Hardik Pandya’s controversial no-balls stole the show as Mumbai Indians (MI) lost a rain-marred thriller to Gujarat Titans (GT), with the skipper calling his errors “a crime” in a post-match confession.
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Hardik Pandya Controversy: The Key Moments
Hardik Pandya’s performance in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) narrow defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) has sparked controversy, with his no-balls and a rare 11-ball over taking center stage.
Pandya, who bowled two no-balls in his eighth over, saw his team concede crucial runs. However, it was his final over, bowled by Deepak Chahar, that truly shifted the momentum.
Chahar’s no-ball at a crucial moment allowed Gujarat to capitalize, leading to a three-wicket win.
Pandya, visibly frustrated, later called the no-balls "a crime" and expressed how they cost MI the game.
"It wasn’t the dropped catch or any other mistake, it was the no-balls, both from me and the last one from Chahar," Pandya said. "It definitely hurt us."
The 11-Ball Over: An IPL Unwanted Record
Pandya's 11-ball over, which stretched to an unprecedented length, added fuel to the Hardik Pandya controversy.
After three legitimate deliveries, the over saw two no-balls, three wides, and a six from Shubman Gill.
This rare feat, which saw him concede 18 runs, has placed Pandya alongside bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Tushar Deshpande for the longest over in IPL history.
While Pandya struggled with his bowling, it was his batting, where he too was dismissed cheaply, that compounded MI's woes.
Stats That Define the Controversy
Uncertainty and What-Ifs for MI
Despite MI's commendable fightback, led by Corbin Bosch’s late surge, the match slipped away due to the series of mistakes, especially the Hardik Pandya controversy surrounding his bowling errors.
Mumbai had set a modest target of 156, which Gujarat chased with composure, aided by Pandya's late overs.
"It was a game of margins," said MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, reflecting on the key moments.
With Hardik Pandya’s no-balls and costly mistakes becoming a talking point, Mumbai Indians will undoubtedly spend time reflecting on the loss and the fine line between victory and defeat.
