Credit: IPL
Mumbai Indians (MI) held their nerves in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Eliminator at the New PCA Stadium and bagged a 20-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT). At the toss, MI skipper Hardik Pandya emerged victorious and elected to bat first. Mumbai openers Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow pounded GT bowlers mercilessly and plundered 79 runs in the first powerplay. Bairstow fell against Sai Kishore in the eighth over while attempting to play a big shot but Rohit capitalised on the start and went on to smash 81 off just 50, The 38-year-old’s innings was studded with 13 boundaries (nine fours and four maximums). Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 20), Tilak Varma (25 off 11), and skipper Hardik Pandya (unbeaten 22 off nine) produced impactful innings and helped MI reach 228/5 in their 20 overs.
Chasing the huge target, Trent Boult delivered the first blow to GT in the form of Shubman Gill, who got LBW in the first over of the innings after scoring only one. Kusal Mendis, who was playing his debut IPL game, got dismissed in an unfortunate way after scoring quick 20 off 10. Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar put up a fight with their knocks of 80 (49) and 48 (24) respectively. Both stitched an 84-run partnership off just 44 balls.
Jasprit Bumrah gets the better of Washington Sundar and snatches the momentum from GT
With GT heading towards the target comfortably, MI’s fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah stepped up and cleaned up Washington Sundar. Following the 25-year-old fall, GT’s batting unit collapsed as they lost Sudharsan and Sherfane Rutherford, which scripted their downfall in the game.
In the end, GT fell 20 runs short and exited the tournament. Bumrah emerged as the most economical bowler for Mumbai in the match, registering 1/27 figures in his four-over spell. MI will next take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2 to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium on June 1.
