BREAKING NEWS: IPL 2025: Virender Sehwag takes a subtle dig at Hardik Pandya after Mumbai Indians’ defeat against Punjab Kings due to……view more

BREAKING NEWS: IPL 2025 — Virender Sehwag Takes Subtle Dig at Hardik Pandya After Mumbai Indians’ Defeat to Punjab Kings Due to Tactical Blunder

May 28, 2025

In the aftermath of a high-stakes IPL 2025 clash, former Indian opener and cricket legend Virender Sehwag has taken what appears to be a subtle jab at Hardik Pandya, following Mumbai Indians’ narrow defeat to Punjab Kings on Tuesday night.

The loss, which came down to the final over, saw Mumbai fall short by just five runs in a match riddled with tactical missteps—most notably the decision to hold back key bowlers during the death overs and a curious batting order shuffle that left fans scratching their heads.

Sehwag, known for his candid takes, didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis on a popular cricket broadcast.

“When you try to be too clever, cricket has a way of humbling you,” Sehwag said, clearly referencing Pandya’s on-field decisions. “There’s a reason why basics matter, especially in crunch games. You can’t afford to experiment when the playoffs are on the line.”

While Sehwag didn’t name Pandya directly, the context was unmistakable. Pandya, who took over as MI captain for the 2025 season amid controversy and criticism, has faced relentless scrutiny for his strategies and leadership choices—especially as Mumbai continues to struggle with consistency.

Tuesday’s match highlighted several questionable decisions, including not giving Jasprit Bumrah a full quota of overs until it was too late, and promoting an out-of-form batter up the order ahead of in-form finishers. Punjab Kings capitalized on these mistakes with a well-timed assault led by Liam Livingstone, ultimately setting a target that proved just out of reach for MI.

Social media quickly picked up on Sehwag’s remarks, with fans divided—some agreeing with the veteran’s assessment, while others defended Pandya’s aggressive style of captaincy.

This is not the first time Sehwag has critiqued Pandya this season. Earlier in the tournament, he commented on Mumbai’s “lack of identity” under the new leadership, adding fuel to ongoing debates about whether Pandya’s appointment was a miscalculation by the franchise.

With playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Mumbai Indians now face must-win scenarios in their remaining fixtures. Pandya, meanwhile, remains under pressure—not just to deliver results, but to prove he’s the right man to lead one of the IPL’s most storied teams.