Mumbai, May 15: In a thrilling encounter of IPL 2026, the Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets. Captain Jasprit Bumrah attributed the team’s fourth win of the season to the outstanding performances of Tilak Varma and Shardul Thakur.
Tilak showcased his batting prowess, scoring a remarkable 75 runs off just 33 balls, including six fours and six sixes. Meanwhile, Shardul excelled with the ball, taking four wickets for 39 runs in his four-over spell. After the match, Bumrah highlighted Tilak’s innings and Shardul’s bowling as pivotal moments in the game.
Bumrah stated, “I believe both Tilak’s innings and Shardul’s bowling deserve equal credit. Tilak maintained his composure even when wickets were falling at the other end. Despite some players not contributing, he kept his shape and confidence, finishing the match. Although Will Jacks made a small contribution, innings like Tilak’s have a significant impact in T20 cricket. I’m pleased with the team’s performance, and everyone contributed.”
Reflecting on his first match as captain in the IPL, Bumrah said, “Yes, this was my first match as captain. As I mentioned, I have captained in a Test match and in T20 internationals. Only ODI captaincy remains, but I don’t think that will happen (laughs). Jokes aside, I’m really happy. I thoroughly enjoyed the captaincy. The weather and the ground were great.”
Bumrah acknowledged the challenges of bowling in the final overs, stating, “It was a good match of cricket. Both teams played well. After a good start, we really made a comeback. There were a few slip-ups at the end when we dropped some catches, but I think bowling in the final overs has become more challenging. We had planned to bowl slower balls and target the stumps. We learned from the previous match that maintaining our length is crucial. If you bowl too short or too full, the ball tends to fly due to the height. The bowlers executed the plan excellently, and they deserve credit for that.”
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