Hardik Pandya is under the scanner for not bowling the last over of the Gujarat Titans’ run chase at the Wankhede Stadium. The equation was 15 runs off 6 balls, and Deepak Chahar, who was given the task of defending runs, couldn’t deliver. He was wayward and missed his line and length to play a part in his franchise’s three-wicket defeat.
Hardik had bowled the last over in the final of the T20 World Cup in 2024. South Africa needed 16 runs with David Miller in the middle. Pandya not only dismissed him but also led the sub-continent team to a win by 7 runs. However, when he had another chance to prove himself, the veteran stayed back to see his team lose the contest.
Aakash Chopra was surprised that the Mumbai skipper didn’t roll his arm over when the franchise needed him the most.
“When Hardik Pandya can bowl the last over of the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, why not against Gujarat Titans? I know he conceded 18 runs of the only over he bowled in the match, but he should have bowled the last over against GT and not Deepak Chahar,” he said.
However, Bhajji sided with the all-rounder as he felt it was not Hardik’s decision. “Hardik Pandya would have bowled if he had been allowed to take the decision. MI head coach Mahela Jayawardene talked about the matches in the early phase of the season that influenced the decision, but it has been a long time since then. If I were part of the team management, I would have given the ball to Hardik,” he said.
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