On an Ahmedabad pitch with black soil, where a par score was expected to be around 180, Gujarat Titans (GT) put up 196 for 8 after being sent in to bat. That total proved 37 runs too many for Mumbai Indians (MI), who struggled in all three departments despite Hardik Pandya’s return from an over-rate suspension.
While GT wasn’t flawless either, they got most things right—including opting for a slow surface, as assistant and batting coach Parthiv Patel mentioned in an in-game interview. Their biggest concern appeared to be Sai Sudharsan, who left the field clutching his left hamstring after a diving attempt. However, Shubman Gill later clarified that it was just a cramp.
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Gill, Sudharsan Set the Tone in the Powerplay
Ahead of the season, Shubman Gill emphasized the need for Gujarat Titans (GT) to capitalize on the powerplay, as they had the lowest run rate (7.72) in that phase last season.
He and Sai Sudharsan took that challenge head-on, both scoring 32 off 18 balls in the first six overs, propelling GT to 66 without loss—their third-highest powerplay total in IPL history. This innings also marked the duo’s fifth consecutive 50-plus opening stand in T20s.
MI Regain Control After Early Onslaught
Following Gujarat Titans’ explosive powerplay, Mumbai Indians managed to regain control once the field restrictions were lifted. They conceded just 13 runs in the next three overs and removed Shubman Gill, who miscued a pull shot off Hardik Pandya to Naman Dhir at deep square leg. Hardik has now dismissed Gill four times in just 18 T20 deliveries, conceding only 11 runs in the process.
Jos Buttler briefly broke the boundary drought, smashing Mitchell Santner for a six and a four in the tenth over. He continued to find the fence in the next four overs, but his innings was cut short at 39 by Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Sudharsan Shines, But GT Falter at the Finish
Sai Sudharsan kept Gujarat Titans’ innings on track, bringing up his second consecutive fifty off 33 balls and guiding the team to 170 for 3 after 17 overs. However, GT stumbled in the death overs.
Trent Boult removed Sudharsan with a pinpoint yorker on the last ball of the 18th over, followed by Rahul Tewatia’s run-out on the first delivery of the 19th. Sherfane Rutherford departed soon after, lofting one to deep extra cover. Despite late sixes from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, GT could only add 26 runs in the final three overs.
Siraj Strikes Early, Ends Rohit’s Streak
Mohammed Siraj had never dismissed Rohit Sharma in T20s despite bowling 55 deliveries to him across ten innings, conceding 74 runs. That seemed set to continue when Rohit struck him for two boundaries in the first three balls of the chase. However, Siraj finally got his breakthrough two balls later with a scrambled-seam delivery that cut through Rohit and crashed into the stumps.
Tilak Varma counterattacked immediately, smashing Kagiso Rabada for 4, 4, 6 in the next over. Meanwhile, Ryan Rickelton struggled at the other end and eventually fell to Siraj in the fifth over, inside-edging onto his stumps. Mumbai Indians closed the powerplay at 48 for 2.
Suryakumar Leads MI’s Fightback
After a fiery start, Tilak Varma’s scoring rate dropped, but Suryakumar Yadav ensured Mumbai Indians stayed in the hunt. Off just his second delivery, he executed his trademark supla shot, launching Mohammed Siraj over fine leg for six. Soon after, he repeated the feat against Ishant Sharma.
R Sai Kishore also felt the heat, deceiving Suryakumar in flight, only for the batter to still loft him over extra cover for another maximum. Suryakumar and Tilak stitched together a 62-run stand off 42 balls, with Tilak contributing a steady 21 off 22 deliveries.
Prasidh’s Slower Balls Derail MI’s Chase
With 100 needed from the last nine overs and eight wickets in hand, Mumbai Indians were still in the hunt. However, the slow surface made shot-making difficult—a tactic Hardik Pandya had used earlier, and Prasidh Krishna executed brilliantly for Gujarat Titans.
Introduced in the 12th over, Prasidh got Tilak Varma caught at wide long-on with a well-disguised slower short ball. Suryakumar Yadav attempted his signature supla shot to counter the change in pace but ended up gloving the ball onto his helmet.
Hardik, once booed at this venue for leaving GT, received cheers when he walked out to bat. But scoring freely as a new batter was tough. As the required rate climbed, Suryakumar tried to take on Prasidh but mistimed a 97.1 kph slower delivery straight to long-off.
Kagiso Rabada then removed Hardik in the following over, which yielded just four runs, all but sealing MI’s fate. With 73 needed off the last three overs, late cameos from Naman Dhir and Mitchell Santner—who struck four boundaries and two sixes—weren’t enough to salvage the chase.
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FAQs
How did Gujarat Titans set a strong total against Mumbai Indians?
GT posted 196/8 on a slow Ahmedabad pitch, with Sai Sudharsan scoring a crucial fifty and key contributions from Shubman Gill.
How did Mohammed Siraj impact Mumbai Indians’ chase?
Siraj dismissed Rohit Sharma early and later sent Ryan Rickelton back, restricting MI to 48/2 in the powerplay.
What role did Suryakumar Yadav play in MI’s innings?
Suryakumar kept MI in the hunt with aggressive stroke play, adding 62 off 42 balls with Tilak Varma before falling to a slower ball from Prasidh Krishna.
How did Prasidh Krishna turn the game in GT’s favor?
His well-executed slower deliveries removed Tilak, Suryakumar, and derailed MI’s chase, leaving them with an uphill task in the final overs.
What was the turning point of the match?
Prasidh’s dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav at a crucial moment, followed by Kagiso Rabada removing Hardik Pandya, sealed MI’s fate.
