Punjab Kings defeated Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2025, gaining a spot in the final after an 11-year absence. However, following the enthralling match, MI captain Hardik Pandya was seen breaking down in tears and going to his knees, eliciting several reactions on social media.
The Mumbai Indians scored 203/6 after being asked to bat first in Ahmedabad due to rain delays. Jonny Bairstow got MI off to a great start with a 24-ball 38, followed by a critical 72-run partnership between Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav, who both scored 44.
Naman Dhir’s late cameo of 37 off only 18 balls propelled the team above the 200-run mark. Despite the scoring rate, PBKS spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, Kyle Jamieson, and Vijaykumar Vyshak picked up wickets at regular intervals to keep MI from accumulating more than 220 runs.
The Punjab Kings’ chase got off to a shaky start when Prabhsimran Singh was dismissed cheaply, and Ashwani Kumar terminated Priyansh Arya’s cameo (20 off 10) early. However, wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis smashed a fast 38 off 21, including 20 runs from top pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s over.
After Inglis was dismissed by Hardik Pandya, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer and Nehal Wadhera put up a magnificent 84-run stand, contributing 48 off 29. The duo went all out against the MI bowlers. Shreyas then went unbeaten, scoring 87 off 41 balls, including five fours and eight sixes. He hit a maximum in the 19th over to complete the chase and set an IPL record for the most successful chase against Mumbai Indians.
After the winning six, cameras saw Hardik Pandya going to his knees, apparently devastated by the loss.
The skipper appeared still when the season finished, one step shy of the final. His teammate Bumrah yanked him to his feet and pushed him towards the traditional post-game handshakes. Hardik’s reaction quickly became the number one trend on X.
Watch the reactions below:
Hardik Pandya got emotional when he lost the Qualifier 🥺
– This is Heartbreaking to see! 💔#RohitSharma #ViratKohli #IPL2025 #HardikPandya #MIvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/JvLN4c6wJL
— Monish (@Monish09cric) June 2, 2025
Hardik Pandya kept 5 times IPL winning captain Rohit out of the field and thought his inputs are of no use 💔 pic.twitter.com/yy7GK85Yfl
— Deepak Tiwari (@Tiwari_Deepak_1) June 2, 2025
Marcus Stoinis consoles a heartbroken Hardik Pandya. 🥹#MIvsPBKS #MIvPBKS #TATAIPL #IPL2025 #PlayLikeMumbai #MumbaiIndians @mipaltan @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/19O2AH8gHy
— AmericanDreamerX (@xamerican0056) June 2, 2025
True hardik fans will always support him in his bad phase
Don’t be sad Hardik pandya. 😔😞 pic.twitter.com/He1uHSe8OI
— ARJUN 💫 (@hardiknation) June 2, 2025
True hardik fans will always support him in his bad phase
Don’t be sad Hardik pandya. 😔😞#PBKSvsMI
— ARJUN 💫 (@hardiknation) June 2, 2025
The best thing about time is, it always changes
No matter if it’s good or bad
Hardik pandya is a champion !! pic.twitter.com/Bw2j4nsQl7
— ғʀᴏᴢᴇɴ°•°ᵐᵃˢᵒᵒᵐ❄️ (@Real_masoom1) June 2, 2025
Hardik pandya had 2 overs left he should have bowled one over in last 4 overs …he didn’t stand like captain when its needed and sent rocky bowler to face shreyas iyer #mumbaiindians #mivspb
— shivang patel (@shivangjpatel) June 2, 2025
Credit to shreyas iyer for that brilliant knock. But the one thing that didn’t feel right was the bowling rotation by hardik pandya. Santer not completing his spell despite being economical. Lack of awareness #MIvPBKS #HardikPandya #Iyer pic.twitter.com/bkhsjFENZO
— DeepViewsX (@DeepViewsX) June 2, 2025
You’ve got to feel sad for Hardik Pandya.
No one supports him for his den.
He always gives his best hard luck champ.
Come back stronger!!🫶🏻❤️
Join RCB in the future. You’ll get better teammates and fans.🫡 pic.twitter.com/t1DjxSiwIJ
— Rohit Sharma (@rsharmax12) June 2, 2025
We Love You Hardik Pandya
We can’t see you like this 💔 pic.twitter.com/p19nJw6XZO
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒂 (@SheraVK18) June 2, 2025
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