Hardik Pandya: India's ‘Clutch God’ who disappears for Mumbai Indians
Hardik Pandya has excelled for India in crunch T20 situations since 2024 but struggled to replicate that impact for Mumbai Indians. His bowling economy and batting strike rate dip sharply for MI, especially in death overs. Questions resurfaced after MI’s record 103-run loss to CSK, where Hardik avoided bowling late despite having overs left, highlighting his contrasting performances for franchise and country.
NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson was batting on 85 off 48 balls. Chennai Super Kings were already running away with the game at the Wankhede. Mumbai Indians still had two overs of Hardik Pandya left, but the MI skipper tossed the ball towards Krish Bhagat, who was playing just his second IPL game.
Bhagat went for 16 runs, and MI eventually faced the biggest defeat by runs in IPL history, by 103 runs. In the end, it turned out to be an inconsequential over in the context of the match, but questions were raised about Hardik's decision to opt against bowling the last over himself. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene later described it as an opportunity for the youngster (Bhagat) "to step up".
Since the beginning of 2026, Hardik has bowled 60 balls (10 overs) at the death for India in eight innings, taking five wickets and conceding an economy rate of 9. 7. In the ongoing IPL, he has bowled just three overs in that phase across seven innings, taking one wicket and conceding 15.
7 runs an over. In India colours, Hardik is the crisis manager, the player trusted with the final over of a World Cup final (at Kensington Oval two years ago in the T20 World Cup final 2024 vs South Africa). He also bowled the 19th over at the Wankhede in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final against England.
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