New Chandigarh/Patiala, 31 May (Sports Desk)
Match Overview
In a high-stakes IPL 2025 Eliminator match, Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 30, 2025, at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. This win propelled MI into Qualifier 2, where they are set to face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on June 1, 2025, in Ahmedabad, for a chance to advance to the IPL 2025 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on June 3. For GT, the loss marked the end of their campaign despite a valiant effort in the chase.
Toss and Team Updates
MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision influenced by the fresh pitch conditions, which had less grass cover compared to the previous Qualifier 1 match at the same venue where PBKS were bowled out for 101. Both teams faced challenges due to the absence of key overseas players on international duty. MI introduced Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson, replacing Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks, while GT brought in Kusal Mendis as a replacement for Jos Buttler, marking Mendis’ IPL debut.
Playing XI
Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson
Impact Players: Krishnan Shrijith, Raghu Sharma, Robin Minz, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Impact Players: Sherfane Rutherford, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan
Mumbai Indians’ Innings: A Fiery 228/5
MI set a formidable target of 229, posting the second-highest total in IPL playoff history with 228/5 in 20 overs. The innings was powered by a blazing start from their new opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow, who replaced the unavailable Ryan Rickelton.
- Rohit Sharma’s Match-Defining Knock: Rohit Sharma, the MI captain, was dropped twice early in the innings by Kusal Mendis (on 3 and 12). Capitalizing on these lifelines, Rohit scored a fiery 81 off 50 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. His innings included his 300th IPL six, making him the second batter to reach this milestone, and saw him surpass 7000 IPL runs, becoming the second Indian to achieve this feat. Rohit’s aggressive approach set the tone, especially in the powerplay, where he and Bairstow plundered runs.
- Jonny Bairstow’s Explosive Debut: Making his debut for MI, Jonny Bairstow smashed 47 off 22 balls, forming an 84-run opening stand with Rohit in just 7 overs. Bairstow’s assault included a 26-run over against Prasidh Krishna, although two boundaries came off the edge. He fell in the eighth over to Sai Kishore.
- Middle-Order Contributions: Suryakumar Yadav added 33 off 20 balls, including two sixes, before being dismissed by Sai Kishore. Tilak Varma scored 25, while Hardik Pandya contributed with three sixes in the death overs, finishing unbeaten. Naman Dhir also chipped in with a quick cameo, hitting a six in the final over bowled by Gerald Coetzee, which yielded 22 runs. MI’s innings featured 17 sixes, the joint third-most in any IPL 2025 innings.
- GT’s Bowling Efforts: Sai Kishore was the pick of GT’s bowlers, finishing with 2/42, dismissing Bairstow and Suryakumar. Prasidh Krishna also took 2/53, including the wicket of Rohit, while Mohammed Siraj claimed Tilak Varma. However, GT’s fielding lapses, particularly the dropped catches of Rohit, proved costly.
watch……Indian Athletes Shine at Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025 with 11 Medals Gujarat Titans’ Chase: A Valiant 208/6
Chasing 229, GT finished at 208/6, falling 20 runs short despite a spirited effort led by Sai Sudharsan. The chase was marked by early setbacks, a strong middle phase, and a late collapse under pressure from MI’s bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah.
- Early Blows: GT’s chase got off to a disastrous start with captain Shubman Gill dismissed for 1 in the first over by Trent Boult. Kusal Mendis, making his IPL debut, scored 20 before a bizarre hit-wicket dismissal off Mitchell Santner, stepping onto his stumps and falling flat on his back.
- Sai Sudharsan’s Heroics: Sai Sudharsan anchored the chase with a brilliant 80 off 49 balls, keeping GT in the hunt. He found an able partner in Washington Sundar, who scored 48 off 24 balls, stitching an 84-run stand off 46 balls. At one stage, GT needed 81 runs off 42 balls with eight wickets in hand, and the chase looked on track.
- Bumrah’s Game-Changing Spell: Jasprit Bumrah turned the game in MI’s favor with a sensational over. His third over featured a candidate for the ball of IPL 2025—a pinpoint 143kph yorker that swerved late to castle Washington Sundar, nutmegging him and dislodging the leg stump. Bumrah finished with 1/19 in three overs, applying immense pressure. GT ended the 14th over at 152/3, needing 77 off the last six overs.
- Late Collapse: Sai Sudharsan fell to Richard Gleeson in the 16th over, a turning point in the chase. Sherfane Rutherford (24) tried to keep GT alive but was dismissed by Boult, who finished with 2/56. In the final over, with 24 runs needed, Gleeson bowled three tight deliveries before leaving the field with a hamstring issue. Impact substitute Ashwani Kumar completed the over, dismissing Shahrukh Khan (13 off 7) and conceding no runs off the last three balls, finishing with 1/28 in 3.3 overs. Rahul Tewatia (16 not out) and Rashid Khan (0 not out) couldn’t pull off the miracle GT needed.
Key Performances
- Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma, for his match-defining 81 off 50 balls, setting the foundation for MI’s total and earning praise for capitalizing on his early luck.
- Jasprit Bumrah’s Impact: Bumrah’s 1/19 in three overs, including the crucial wicket of Washington Sundar, shifted the momentum decisively in MI’s favor.
- Sai Sudharsan’s Season Highlight: Sudharsan ended IPL 2025 as the leading run-scorer, amassing 759 runs in the season, with his 80 in the Eliminator showcasing his consistency despite the loss.
Match Statistics
- MI’s Total: 228/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 81, Jonny Bairstow 47, Suryakumar Yadav 33; Sai Kishore 2/42, Prasidh Krishna 2/53)
- GT’s Total: 208/6 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 80, Washington Sundar 48, Sherfane Rutherford 24; Trent Boult 2/56, Jasprit Bumrah 1/19, Ashwani Kumar 1/28)
- Sixes Comparison: MI hit 17 sixes, while GT managed 8, highlighting MI’s superior hitting depth.
- Head-to-Head Context: GT had dominated MI in recent encounters, winning both league-stage matches in IPL 2025 and leading the overall head-to-head 5-2. However, MI broke this streak in the Eliminator.
