The Gujarat Titans (GT) delivered a stunning performance to defeat the Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 9 of IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad . With this loss, Mumbai Indians have now lost both their matches this season, raising concerns about their batting struggles. Captain Hardik Pandya , who returned to lead the team after missing the first match, had some strong words to say about the defeat. Fans are speculating that his comments were an indirect attack on Rohit Sharma , MI’s captain, following their sloppy performance on the field. Let’s break it down.

What Happened in the Match?

Gujarat Titans dominated Mumbai Indians from the start. Their openers set the tone with a solid powerplay, scoring freely without taking unnecessary risks. The total posted by GT put immense pressure on Mumbai’s batsmen, who failed to deliver yet again.

Hardik Pandya admitted that his team made too many mistakes and lacked professionalism on the field. He also pointed out that the pitch was tricky, but it wasn’t an excuse for their poor performance.

Hardik Pandya’s Comments Post Match

In his post match interview, Hardik Pandya reflected on the loss and highlighted key areas where his team faltered:

Fielding Lapses:

“We did not act like professional cricketers on the field. We missed Gujarat by 20 to 25 runs because we were sloppy in the build up.”

Bowling Challenges:

“I bowled a lot during my time, and I know how difficult it is when the ball stands on the pitch. There’s no consistent bounce, which puts pressure on the bowlers and batsman alike.”

Batting Woes:

“Our batsmen need to step up. The IPL season is still in its early stages, but they must start scoring runs soon. I’m confident they will do that.”

What Goes Around Comes Around:

Hardik ended with a cryptic remark: “What I did to them, they have done to me again.”
Fans believe this statement was a subtle dig at Rohit Sharma , hinting that GT exploited MI’s weaknesses just as Hardik himself might have done in the past while playing for GT.

Stats Comparison: GT vs MI

Let’s take a closer look at the stats from the match to understand why GT dominated MI.

Below is a table comparing key performances:

Why Are Fans Calling It an Indirect Attack on Rohit Sharma?

Hardik Pandya’s statement “What I did to them, they have done to me again” has sparked debate among fans. Many believe he was indirectly criticizing Rohit Sharma’s leadership and MI’s lack of professionalism on the field.

Here’s why fans think so:

Fielding Errors:

MI dropped four catches, compared to GT’s one. This sloppiness cost them dearly.
Bowling Tactics: MI’s bowlers struggled to contain GT’s batters, conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.40 , much higher than GT’s 7.80 .

Batting Collapse:

Despite having star players like Suryakumar Yadav , MI’s batsmen failed to chase a manageable target, highlighting their inconsistency.

Conclusion

The defeat against Gujarat Titans has exposed several cracks in Mumbai Indians’ game. While Hardik Pandya acknowledged his team’s mistakes, his cryptic comments have fueled speculation about tensions between him and Rohit Sharma.

As the IPL 2025 season progresses, MI’s batting lineup needs to find form quickly if they hope to turn their campaign around. Meanwhile, GT continues to impress under Hardik’s leadership, proving they are serious contenders this year.

What did you make of Hardik Pandya’s comments? Do you think MI can bounce back? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stay tuned for more updates and thrilling moments from IPL 2025.