Never had Hardik Pandya bagged a 4fer in T20s, let alone a fifer in the format. But that changed rapidly during the IPL 2025 encounter between MI and LSG on Friday, where the Mumbai skipper ended with figures of 5/36 in four overs, claiming the wickets of Aiden Markram (53). Nicholas Pooran (12), Rishabh Pant (2), David Miller (27) and Akash Deep (0).
Hardik Pandya the Captain Gets Maiden Fifer
This is a huge achievement for Hardik Pandya, who bettered his previous best bowling figures of 3/17 in the IPL. Now, in four matches this year, the 31-year-old has picked up eight wickets in three matches, moving up in the race of purple cap holders. His overall stats read — 3 matches, 10 overs, eight wickets, at an average of 9.35, conceding only 75 runs.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 4, 2025
HISTORY AT EKANA STADIUM
– Hardik Pandya is the first Captain to take five-wicket haul in IPL History. pic.twitter.com/uzKGbS08N4
His performance is only bettered by CSK’s Noor Ahmad, who has 9 scalps in 3 matches. What is mind-boggling is, Hardik, with this effort has surpassed Josh Hazlewood — 6 wickets, and Mitchell Starc — 8 wickets as well. That makes him the first skipper in the history of IPL to bag a fifer.
Second in Purple Cap Race
But then, all in all, it wasn’t a great bowling performance by the other MI bowlers, who leaked a few runs. Mitchell Santner was expensive with 0/46 in his four overs, while Deepak Chahar gave away 23 in two. Last match star Ashwani Kumar also gave away 39 runs in three overs, for just one wicket, taking LSG to 203/8.
This fifer by Hardik Pandya has come at a time when MI is eagerly waiting for the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action for the last four months, due to a back injury he sustained in the Australia series. In the match vs GT he had bagged 2/29, while vs KKR, he bagged 1/10.
