IPL 2025: Cricket news shows cricket news behind retiring Tilak Verma in Hardik Pandya LSG vs Mi

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya defended the decision to retire Tilak Verma during his 12 -run loss Lucknow Super Giants Match 16 IPL 2025 Atal Bihari Vajpey at Ekna Cricket Stadium. The strategic move came when Mumbai Indians needed 24 runs from 7 balls, in which Verma scored 25 off 23 balls.
Tilak Verma joined the ninth action after Naman Dhir’s dismissal for 46 runs in 24 balls. Varma’s slow scoring rate of 108.70 inspired the management to retire and bring him to Mitchell Santner.
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When the decision was questioned in the post -match presentation, Pandya provided a clear explanation.
“I mean, I think it was clear. We needed some hits and I think he was not getting, as you said. In cricket, sometimes (can come there) one of those days when you want to try really, but it does not happen. The decision itself says why we did this,” Pandya said.
Mumbai Indians pursued 204 and remained competitive on 43 balls for Suryakumar Yadav’s 67 runs. The team needed 22 runs in the final over, in which Pandya hit sixes with the first ball, but Avesh Khan’s accurate bowling won for the Lucknow Super Veterans.
Earlier, LSG posted 203/8 in 20 overs when Mumbai Indians won the toss and chose Bowl. Michelle Marsh and Aiden Markram were half -centuries in the innings.
Pandya admitted that his team’s fielding laps gave him important runs.

“If we have to really have to be honest for ourselves, perhaps in the field, you know, I think they 10, 12 runs, 13 runs margin, I think we gave a lot on this wicket.”
Pandya himself performed an impressive bowling, claiming five wickets including Aiden Markram, Nicolas Goran, Rishabh Pant, David Miller and Akash Deep. This was the first time in IPL history when a captain ran for five wickets.
Speaking of his bowling strategy, Pandya shared his view.
Pandya said, “I have always enjoyed my bowling. I don’t think I have many options. But I will always try to make sure that I read the wicket well and, you know, use some smart options.”
He further expanded his bowling mindset.
“I will always be aggressive with my mindset. But it always allows more dot balls to bowl, pressurize and make a mistake. And I think, yes, really enjoying my bowling. And today was one of those days.”