Hardik Pandya calls this player Mumbai Indians' 'gun fielder'

By Admin

18 Apr, 2025

In a thrilling IPL 2025 encounter at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya was all praise for his team—especially the bowlers and all-rounder Will Jacks—following a convincing four-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). MI chased down a modest target of 163 in just 18.1 overs, securing their second consecutive win of the season.

Bowlers Lead the Charge on a Tricky Wicket

It was a sluggish pitch with hints of early assistance, and MI's bowlers made the most of the conditions. Pandya highlighted the intelligence and discipline shown by his bowling unit, particularly in executing variations and sticking to basic plans. “I think the way we bowled today was very smart and spot on,” Pandya said during the post-match presentation. “Certain balls were not easy to hit. Credit to the bowlers—we made them play some good shots and squeezed them well.”

MI restricted SRH to 162 for 5, with bowlers tactfully using slower deliveries and mixing up their pace. Pandya specifically pointed out the effectiveness of the yorkers and the early movement that Deepak Chahar managed to extract in the initial overs.

Will Jacks – MI’s “Gun Fielder” and All-Round Asset

The standout of the night was undoubtedly England’s Will Jacks, who earned Pandya’s special mention. “That is the beauty of Jacks. He can be a gun fielder. Bowl those gun overs. Today it came off for him,” the MI skipper said. Jacks impressed with a tidy bowling spell of 2/14 and followed it up with a crucial 36 off 26 balls, steadying the chase when it seemed briefly uncertain.

When MI needed 42 off 42 balls, the game was delicately poised, but Jacks’ calm approach and clever shot selection helped tilt the momentum back in Mumbai’s favor.

SRH Captain Admits to a Sub-Par Score

On the other side, SRH captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that his team fell short of a defendable total. “It wasn’t the easiest wicket. Few runs short, we would have liked a couple more with the bat,” Cummins admitted. “Tricky wicket… we expected it to be fluent and fast, but it wasn’t.”

Despite their bowling efforts, SRH could not contain MI’s chase, and Cummins recognized MI's bowlers' ability to shut down hitting areas throughout the game.

SRH's Struggles Continue

With this loss, SRH slumped to their fifth defeat in seven matches. Cummins remained hopeful but realistic, emphasizing the importance of performing better in away games. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t clicked so far this season… every game we talk about assessing. Next game is at home, and we know that venue well.”

Looking Ahead

This win has provided MI with a much-needed boost as they continue to gain momentum. The emergence of Will Jacks as an all-round contributor—and as Pandya called him, a “gun fielder”—adds significant depth to their campaign. If MI continues this form, especially with such precise execution in challenging conditions, they’ll remain strong contenders in the race to the playoffs.