Mumbai Indians have finally got back to winning ways after four defeats in a row, when they beat Gujarat Titans by 99 runs in an IPL match on Monday. Skipper Hardik Pandya lauded Tilak Varma’s unbeaten knock of 101 off 45 balls, said it was “about time he came out and delivered”.
Tilak started off slowly with just 19 off 22 balls but picked up the tempo after he got an earful from his skipper during the second strategic time-out.
“The message I think, I realised that the kind of talent Tilak has, he really doesn’t have to worry. So my message to him was just watch the ball and hit the ball. Was about time he came out and delivered. It was much needed for Tilak, the group and Mumbai Indians,” Pandya said after the match.
Mumbai Indians have always found it tough when playing in Ahmedabad, so the win was special for Pandya and his team.
“It’s always challenging to go away and win but at the same time Ahmedabad has been a tough place for Mumbai Indians. We played some good cricket. Feels very special because it was much needed.”
Pandya has often faced criticism for not using Jasprit Bumrah first up. The MI skipper explained the reason why.
“It’s quite fascinating. I see a lot of people asking why Jassi (Bumrah) isn’t bowled up front but he’s only bowled the first over seven or eight times in 140 odd games. So it’s not a Hardik Pandya problem, it’s an everybody problem because Bumrah is so special you want to use him later on,” said Pandya.
Tilak was happy after scoring his first century in the IPL, which he said is really special. After making a watchful start, Tilak blasted 82 off the last 23 balls to get to his hundred.
“Of course, first 100 will be always special. It was very important for us. We don’t have much time from here. Every game is important for us.
“In the last five games, I haven’t had much time in the middle. So this game I wanted to spend time in the middle. So you saw first 20 balls, I was just batting ball by ball. And then later on, I was aware about the the ability I have,” he said.
“I was just seeing the situation and what the team needs and I was just stable and keeping my head still and following my basics. I have all the fancy shots but when the team is under pressure it’s just about backing your skills and today it’s given me good results.”
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill was not pleased with the bowling efforts in the last six overs where they gave away close to 95 runs
“Honestly, I think we gave away too many runs in the middle overs. On a wicket like that, 160-170 was a par score,” Gill said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Towards the end, three overs, two by Prasidh Krishna and one by Ashok Sharma, went for a combined 67 runs, leaving Gill far from pleased.
“I think the wicket was on the slower side. I don’t think we hit the right areas. Length balls, some were coming on nicely some weren’t. We weren’t able to hit that length more consistently,” he added.
