Just a few days ago, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya hogged the limelight after he changed Rohit Sharma’s fielding position against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It became a major talking point in the cricket fraternity, attracting mixed opinions from netizens from across quarters. While many felt that the fielding change was rather disrespectful, others felt that Hardik Pandya was only doing his job as a captain. MI started their campaign with a narrow 6-run loss to GT.
The five-time IPL champions were mercilessly thrashed by SRH’s batting line-up in the eighth match of the ongoing edition of the IPL. The Orange Army started their campaign with a narrow four-run defeat to KKR but ensured to give absolutely everything against MI in the home fixture at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. SRH were on rampage mode from the get-go and were looking to score
Rohit Sharma positions MI captain Hardik Pandya at boundary rope
SRH batters namely Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram took the bowling attack to the cleaners by playing a fearless brand of cricket. Just as when even captain Hardik Pandya ran out of tricks, Rohit Sharma commanded Hardik Pandya to patrol near the boundary rope and the video clip of the same has gone viral on social media portals.
— Rahul Chauhan (@ImRahulCSK11) March 28, 2024
In the process, SRH etched its name into the record books after they shattered RCB’s record to register the highest-ever total in the history of the IPL. SRH registered a whopping total of 277/3 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. As many as 18 sixes were hit by the SRH batsmen and Klaasen top-scored with 80 off 34 balls, laced with 4 fours and 7 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 235.29.
Travis Head also created history by becoming the second-fastest SRH batsman to score a fifty in the IPL. He registered the feat in just 18 balls, surpassing David Warner’s record of 20-ball fifty against CSK in 2015. Travis Head couldn’t be any happier upon making an instant impact in his SRH debut by chipping in with a quickfire 62 off 24 balls, including 9 fours and 3 sixes.
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Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest fifty for SRH as he achieved it in 16 balls. Overall, he amassed 63 off 23 balls whereas Aiden Markram scored 42 off 28 balls (2 fours, 1 six). In reply, Mumbai Indians gave absolutely everything in the run-chase but fell short of the target. They were able to muster 246/5 in 20 overs. SRH won the game by 31 runs and registered their first win of this season.