A challenging road for Hardik Pandya as MI captain in IPL 2025. The previous year Pandya returned via a controversial transfer, reuniting with star pacer Jasprit Bumrah as MI struggles to find form. In their latest game, MI lost to the Royal Challengers Bangalore with Krunal Pandya taking three great wickets in the final over to snatch the game from the clutches of the MI. Krunal Pandya expressed empathy for his Hardik. “The bond that we (Hardik and I) have, we knew there was only one Pandya that was supposed to win, the love and affection we have for each other is very natural. He (Hardik) batted really well and I feel for him, but we (our team) won and that is most important. When I came onto bowl, Santner was batting and leg side was shorter and the amount of games I played here in the last 10 years, at some point the experience had to come in. As a bowler, sometimes you want to commit and it is important to commit 100 percent and it helps in execution.” RCB manages to score 221 against MI at the Wankhede Stadium, courtesy hefty digs from Kohli, Jitesh Sharma, and Rajat Patidar. MI started off sour losing major figures like Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Ryan Rickelton even before getting off the starting blocks. Will Jacks could not hold either as he fell prey to the sharp bowling of Krunal Pandya. MI had every hope rekindled as Tilak Varma and skipper Hardik Pandya moved into fiery partnership mode. There was no shortage of confidence for these two as they blitzed the bowlers. Tilak got his fifty in quick time, while Hardik sent them for boundaries and sixes to keep MI in the chase. Also Read | KKR vs LSG Dream11 Prediction: IPL 2025 Match 21 Fantasy Tips Bhuvneshwarkumar had other ideas; he bowled a brainy slower ball to dismiss Tilak. Josh Hazlewood then claimed Hardik, leaving MI needing 19 runs from the last over. Krunal Pandya rose to the occasion and bowled a brilliant last over that restricted MI to 203/6. The game further highlighted MI's continuous plight in form. It adds to the rivalry between the Pandya brothers, where MI fancied their chances after a spirited comeback but have to start regrouping fast if they are to stay alive in IPL 2025.