Harbhajan Singh Critiques MI's Coaching After IPL 2025 Loss to PBKS

MI's Disappointing Exit from IPL 2025

The recent defeat of Mumbai Indians (MI) against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 qualifier has sparked discussions beyond the match itself. PBKS successfully chased down a target of 204 runs, winning by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which led to MI's elimination from the tournament.

In a response shared on his YouTube channel, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his strong opinions regarding the MI coaching staff. He criticized the excessive micromanagement by coaches Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, particularly when MI bowlers were conceding too many runs.

Harbhajan Singh's Insights

Harbhajan stated, "Observe the Mumbai Indians' dugout. When runs were being leaked, there was an overwhelming amount of external involvement. Coaches were instructing bowlers like Bumrah on what to do. A dressing room should maintain a sense of calm. Coaches ought to provide guidance without appearing desperate. This excessive interference can diminish the players' morale."

Match Highlights: MI vs PBKS

Under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, PBKS completed their chase, defeating MI by five wickets to advance to the IPL 2025 final, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Shreyas played a crucial role with an unbeaten 87 runs, allowing PBKS to reach their target with an over to spare. Josh Inglis contributed 20 runs during Bumrah's over, while Nehal Wadhera added 48 runs off 29 balls, supporting Shreyas effectively.

In the initial phase of their innings, MI's Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav both scored 44 runs, helping the team post a total of 203 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Their partnership of 72 runs for the third wicket provided a solid foundation for MI, while Naman Dhir's aggressive innings helped them surpass the 200-run mark in pursuit of a competitive score.