The 16th match of IPL 2025 witnessed a historic moment as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya became the first skipper in IPL history to claim a five-wicket haul while leading his side. The match, played at Ekana Cricket Stadium, saw Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) post a competitive total of 203 runs after being put in to bat first. However, the spotlight was firmly on Hardik Pandya, who delivered a sensational bowling performance.
Hardik Pandya’s Record-Breaking Spell
The Mumbai Indians skipper, known for his all-round abilities, produced a career-best IPL bowling figure of 5/36 in 4 overs, dismantling LSG’s batting lineup. His victims included:
Aiden Markram (53) – A well-set batsman looking dangerous.
Nicholas Pooran (12) – A big-hitting threat.
David Miller (27) – Another explosive batter.
Akash Deep (0) – A lower-order batsman.
Rishabh Pant (2) – A key wicket early in his innings.
This remarkable feat also earned him the best bowling figures by any captain in IPL history, surpassing legendary spinner Anil Kumble’s 4/16 (twice) for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Best Bowling Figures as a Captain in IPL History:
5/36 – Hardik Pandya (MI) vs LSG, 2025
4/16 – Anil Kumble (RCB) vs Deccan Chargers, 2009 & 2010
4/17 – JP Duminy (DD) vs SRH, 2015
4/21 – Shane Warne (RR) vs Deccan Chargers, 2010
4/29 – Yuvraj Singh (PWI) vs DC, 2011
Hardik Joins Elite List of Most Wickets as Captain
With this five-wicket haul, Hardik Pandya has now taken 30 wickets as captain in the IPL, becoming the third-highest wicket-taker among skippers in the league’s history. He joins the likes of Shane Warne (57 wickets) and Anil Kumble (30 wickets) in this elite list.
Most Wickets as Captain in IPL:
57 – Shane Warne (54 innings)
30 – Anil Kumble (26 innings)
30 – Hardik Pandya (36 innings)
25 – Ravichandran Ashwin (28 innings)
21 – Pat Cummins (20 innings)
Purple Cap Race Heats Up
Before this match, Hardik had taken three wickets in two games. With his five-wicket haul, he has now jumped to second place in the Purple Cap race with 8 wickets in three matches, just behind the current leader. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a vital asset for Mumbai Indians.
Can Mumbai Indians Chase Down 204?
With a challenging target of 204 runs, Mumbai Indians will rely on their strong batting lineup, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan, to secure a victory. However, Hardik Pandya’s heroics with the ball have already made this match unforgettable.
Conclusion
Hardik Pandya’s historic five-wicket haul has etched his name in IPL record books, proving his leadership and match-winning abilities. As Mumbai Indians chase the target, fans eagerly await to see if they can capitalize on this momentum and secure another win in IPL 2025.
