Did Hardik Pandya wear protective glasses at RR vs MI toss due to a pre-match injury?

Pic: IPL/X

Hardik Pandya delivered a standout all-round performance at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Thursday, guiding Mumbai Indians to a resounding 100-run win over Rajasthan Royals. What made his effort even more remarkable was the fact that he played through a painful injury sustained just days before the match.

In the lead-up to the high-profile clash, Pandya encountered a serious setback during a net session. While attempting a sweep shot against a local spinner, the ball ricocheted and struck him directly above the eye. The impact was severe, necessitating seven stitches and raising doubts over his availability for the match.

Despite the injury, the 31-year-old all-rounder made the bold decision to play. He took the field wearing specially designed protective glasses, and at the toss, was seen with a visible bandage over his right eye.

Once the game began, Pandya quickly silenced concerns about his fitness. Coming in to bat at No. 4, the MI skipper wasted no time making his presence felt. He launched a counter-attack on the RR bowlers, smashing an aggressive 48 off just 23 deliveries. His explosive innings featured six boundaries and a towering six, setting the tone for MI's imposing total.

There was no respite for the Royals as he, alongside Suryakumar Yadav, took charge in the latter half of the innings. The pair added an unbeaten 94-run partnership, with both batters finishing on identical scores of 48 with the runs coming in 23 balls each. Suryakumar sealed the innings in style, launching a six off the final delivery. He and Pandya stayed not out.

Pandya's contribution wasn't limited to just batting. With the ball in hand, he played a pivotal role yet again. He bowled a disciplined over and claimed the crucial wicket of RR's impact substitute Shubham Dubey, dismissing him for a mere 2 runs. His economical spell further tightened the noose around the Royals, who never found their footing in the chase.

The skipper's gritty all-round display not only showcased his leadership under adversity but also reaffirmed his status as a match-winner. Mumbai's emphatic win, bolstered by Pandya's heroics, officially knocked Rajasthan Royals out of contention for the IPL 2025 playoffs.