‘We didn’t bat smartly’ – Head coach Mahela Jayawardene explains behind MI lost to GT in IPL 2025

Mahela Jayawardene, the head coach of the Mumbai Indians (MI), talked candidly about the team’s errors against the Gujarat Titans (GT), which had an impact on their performance in the previous game. With 14 points apiece, it was a crucial game for both teams. But as Rahul Tewatia and Gerald Coetzee chased down 15 runs in the final over, the result went in GT’s advantage.

Rain halted the match, therefore the number of overs was lowered to 19. Even though GT was under par when the game ended in the middle, they rallied and managed to reach the aim of 147 runs. For the fans, it was an exciting cricket match as well.

Mahela Jayawardene stated at the news conference following the game that the primary cause of the lower target was the batsmen’ poor performance.

Despite having a strong start, they were unable to convert in the final eight overs.

“Throughout the day, both sides made a lot of mistakes in the centre, but we most likely made more than they did. That, I believe, is the distinction. We didn’t play to our full potential, in my opinion, particularly with the bat. At the post-match news conference, Mahela Jayawardene stated, “I thought we were set up nicely initially, and then we just had to bat those last eight overs, which we didn’t bat smartly.”

The head coach claimed that MI was over 30 runs short on the pitch, which left the bowlers with little to defend. Furthermore, the players and management are well aware of the strain they will be under in the forthcoming games because they will not have an easy path to the playoffs.

“We’re likely missing that wicket by 30 runs. The lads produced a lot of opportunities and bowled pretty well. That’s encouraging, in my opinion, and going forward, we approach every game as though it were a playoff match. Jayawardene continued, “I’m really proud of the boys today, the way they reacted to that circumstance.”