The 41st match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) saw the fourth-highest run chase in the league as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chased down the total of 244 runs with one over and two balls remaining against Mumbai Indians (MI), handing them their sixth loss of the season. During the second innings, Shardul Thakur was used as an impact substitute.

However, Shardul Thakur created an unwanted record during the game as he became the first impact player who did not bowl or bat in the match. The decision came as a surprise to all the fans and also to the former cricketers. In the post-match press conference, MI batting coach Kieron Pollard was asked about the matter.

Would have been: Kieron Pollard shares why Shardul Thakur didn’t bowl

Pollard did not even know the reason why Shardul Thakur, who was the impact player, did not bowl a single over in the match despite being on the ground. This raises serious questions about the lack of communication between the management and captain Hardik Pandya, who has been under immense pressure after four consecutive defeats at the Wankhede stadium for the first time.

“About why he didn’t allow Shardul to bowl a single over… I will come back and ask. On the other hand, if he had given away 20 runs in one over, it would have been a totally different conversation,” he said.

Shardul Thakur has played seven matches in the tournament so far after being traded from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of last year’s mini-auction. He has failed to impress with the bowl and bat, picking six wickets with an economy of over 13 and scoring 14 runs in the competition so far.

I don’t understand it at all-Murali Kartik

Cricketers-turned-commentators Murali Kartik and Virender Sehwag were also shocked by the move while discussing it on Cricbuzz. Sehwag believes Shardul is a wicket-taking bowler and should have given him at least one spot, especially after being introduced as an impact bowler.

“I don’t understand it at all. Why did they bring him? Maybe they forgot about him. Only God can tell us why this was done,” the former India spinner said.

“If you have brought him in as an impact substitute, then he should have bowled at least one over. He is a wicket-taker. He could have got a wicket somehow, so they definitely should have given him a try,” Sehwag added. “Only Hardik Pandya can tell us why Shardul Thakur was not bowled because ever since he arrived, he always takes a wicket no matter how much he is hit.”

Can MI qualify for the playoffs?

Coming into the match, MI won the toss and opted to bat first. Ryan Rickelton scored a brilliant 123* runs and helped the franchise post a mammoth total of 243/5 in his 20 overs. But the massacre of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen and Salil Arora stole the game from the Blues, chasing 244 in 18.4 overs.

Mumbai Indians have struggled this season. Despite winning their first match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), they have failed to find the right momentum in the competition so far. With Hardik Pandya they have just won two games and, after last night’s defeat, they have complicated their qualification for the playoffs.

Read also: There is no faith left! Ravichandran Ashwin gives up on Hardik Pandya and MI in IPL 2026