IPL 2024: Steve Smith left 'perplexed' with Hardik Pandya's bowling changes against SRH

Mumbai Indians (MI) suffered their second consecutive loss in the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 31 runs on Wednesday, March 27 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. After being put in to bat first, SRH posted the highest-ever IPL total of 277/3 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Mumbai showed great fight but could only reach 246/5 in their 20 overs and ended up losing the game.

Following Mumbai’s loss, Hardik Pandya’s captaincy once again came under the scanner as Australia batter Steve Smith, who’s a part of the commentary panel in IPL 2024, questioned some of his decisions on the field. Smith was left ‘perplexed’ with Pandya’s bowling changes as he wondered why he brought pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth over of the innings.

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"I was perplexed with some of their bowling changes in the first innings for Mumbai. Bumrah bowled in the fourth over, he went for 5 and then we didn't see him again till the 13th over when they were on 173," Smith told host broadcaster 'Star Sports'.

Notably, Pandya also came on to bowl before Bumrah during Mumbai’s opening fixture against Gujarat Titans and brought the speedster into the attack in the fourth over. The same happened in the second fixture as well, as Pandya came on to bowl the second over where he leaked 12 runs and brought Bumrah into the attack in the fourth over where the seamer gave just five runs.

Smith further highlighted another glaring error by Pandya as he didn’t bring him back until the 13^th over when most of the damage had been already done.

Mumbai to next take on Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede

"All the damage had been done, you needed your best bowler to be coming back and take some wickets in that period and I think they missed a trick there bringing him back only in the 13th over," Smith added.

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Meanwhile, after consecutive losses, Mumbai find themselves on the second last spot on the points table with zero points to their names from two matches. They will next take on Rajasthan Royals in their first home game of the season on April 01 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.