Ahemdabad : Mumbai Indians’ hard-fought 12-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 has sparked a fierce debate off the field, with cricket pundits Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar clashing live on Star Sports over who should be applauded for the game-changing strategy.
The win marked only Mumbai’s second in six matches, but the focus quickly shifted to former captain Rohit Sharma, who many fans credited on social media for influencing a turning point in the match.
During the 13th over of Delhi’s chase, with the Capitals comfortably progressing, Rohit was seen in an intense conversation with head coach Mahela Jayawardene and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. Shortly afterward, he was observed signaling to skipper Hardik Pandya to introduce leg-spinner Karn Sharma and opt for the second new ball — a move that led to the quick dismissals of Tristan Stubbs and KL Rahul, halting Delhi’s momentum.
Sanjay Bangar, during the post-match broadcast on Star Sports, praised Rohit for the tactical input, stating, “Rohit should be credited for that wicket. He deserves the pat on the back.” However, Manjrekar offered a contrasting perspective.
“It’s always easier to suggest from the sidelines,” Manjrekar argued. “But if the plan had failed, criticism would have landed squarely on Hardik. He made the final decision under pressure. He’s the captain and should get full credit.”
The exchange has since ignited online discussions, with fans split over whether Rohit’s experience or Hardik’s execution deserves the spotlight — further fueling debates around Mumbai Indians’ internal leadership dynamics.