Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 7:30 pm, the Mumbai Indians will face off against the Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling T20 clash at the Wankhede Stadium. With stalwarts like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav leading the Mumbai squad, they boast a formidable batting lineup supported by Jasprit Bumrah's pace in bowling. On the other side, the Super Kings, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni, bring a mix of experience and all-round talent, promising a gripping encounter under the lights.

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 Simon Doull believes Hardik Pandya is hiding his injury 

Simon Doull has sparked controversy in the cricket world by making a serious claim about Hardik Pandya's condition. Doull has expressed concern over Pandya's fitness, implying that the player may be nursing an ailment. This conjecture follows Pandya's modest bowling contributions in recent matches, specifically the Mumbai Indians' (MI) encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 11.

MI, under Hardik Pandya's leadership, returned to form with a dominant victory over RCB at home. Chasing a challenging target of 197 runs, the five-time IPL champions cruised to victory, their second of the season. However, Pandya's contribution with the ball was limited, as he just bowled one over throughout the contest.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, Simon Doull highlighted his concerns over Hardik Pandya's fitness. Doull alluded to a potential injury problem, implying that Pandya may not be recognising it publicly. He substantiated his argument by pointing up Pandya's decreased engagement in bowling duties throughout the season. Simon Doul said: 

"You go out and make a statement by opening the bowling in game no. 1, and suddenly, you are not required. He's injured. I'm telling you there is something wrong with him. He is not admitting it. But there is something wrong with him for sure. That is my gut feeling," 

Hardik Pandya started the season by bowling the first over in MI's opener against Gujarat Titans. However, his bowling opportunities declined, with him bowling only one over against RCB after being called up to bowl the second over in the second game. This limited participation has prompted speculation regarding Pandya's physical health, sparking debate among fans and professionals alike.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya pays heavy cost after coldly ignoring Rohit Sharma- WATCH

Mumbai Indians eye to gain momentum in the IPL 2024

Mumbai Indians (MI) had a difficult start to the season with three straight losses, but they have pulled off an incredible turnaround to win two straight games. They started their comeback with their first victory of the season, a stunning victory against Delhi Capitals in their second home game. In their fifth game of the season, MI maintained their winning streak by dominating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), riding their newfound momentum.

MI put on a superb batting exhibition against the Delhi Capitals, driven by remarkable half-centuries from Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan gave MI's pursuit a spectacular start by scoring 69 runs off of only 34 deliveries. His brilliant effort, which included seven boundaries and five sixes, set the tone for MI's fight for victory. Ishan and Rohit Sharma combined to put on a strong opening partnership of 101 runs in just 8.5 overs.

After Ishan left the field, Suryakumar Yadav took over and had an incredible performance, scoring 52 runs in just 19 balls. Because of his aggressive style, Suryakumar batted at an incredible strike rate of 273.68, sending the ball easily to the boundaries and making a big contribution to MI's successful chase.

When it came to bowling, Jasprit Bumrah was the most impressive player, displaying his skills with an incredible five-wicket haul. On a pitch that can produce a lot of runs, Bumrah showed remarkable control and accuracy by giving up just 21 runs in spite of the difficult circumstances. He was named Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling effort, underscoring his crucial role in MI's victory. They will eye to repeat a similar performance against CSK.