After Mumbai Indians' 27-run win over Gujarat Titans, GT captain Hardik Pandya stated that Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan was the only player who turned up in this fixture. In the first innings, Gujarat conceded 218 runs but Khan only gave away 30 runs in his four overs while picking up four wickets.
Then in the second innings, despite wickets falling on the other end, Rashid Khan scored 79 in 32 balls with three fours and 10 sixes. Reacting to the loss and Khan's performance, Hardik Pandya said, "Felt like from our team only he (Rashid) turned up. The way he batted, the way he bowled, it was tremendous. Don't have to try much (after this result). As a group, we weren't there. In bowling also we were very flat. Didn't have clear plans or didn't execute. Wicket was very flat but I felt we gave 25 runs extra."
Further in the interview, Hardik Pandya praised Suryakumar Yadav for his top performance and stressed the fact that conceding 129 runs in the last 10 overs cost them the game. Pandya said, "Have spoken enough about him (Surya). One of the best batters in T20 cricket."
"You saw what can happen if you don't execute your plans. For me, it's very important that as a bowler you are clear. I can only set the fields. Losing five wickets and then scoring 129 in the last 10 overs (MI innings). We lacked a lot of execution and heart. That cost us the game. The intensity was also flat. Expected things to happen, but everyone knows at this level it doesn't just happen," he further added,