Gujarat Titans showcased a clinic in precision during the death overs, securing a hard-fought six-run triumph over the Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite having seven wickets in hand and requiring 42 runs off the final six overs, the Mumbai Indians faltered as Gujarat executed their strategies flawlessly, thwarting any hopes of a Mumbai comeback.
The Gujarat Titans posted a total of 168 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, with Sai Sudharsan leading the charge with a score of 45 runs. Jasprit Bumrah proved to be the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai Indians, claiming 3 wickets for just 14 runs. However, Gujarat Titans managed to defend their total by restricting the Mumbai Indians to 162 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs. Dewald Brevis top-scored for Mumbai with 46 runs, closely followed by Rohit Sharma’s 43 runs. All of the Titans bowlers chipped in with crucial contributions. In the end, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 6 runs.
Despite being a former title-winning captain for Gujarat Titans, the decision of Hardik Pandya to transfer to Mumbai Indians has stirred some discontent among a section of fans. This sentiment was visible in the stadium as he was greeted with boos both during the toss and at intervals throughout the match.
Sai Sudharsan Leads Titans’ Batting Charge
Asked to bat first, the Gujarat Titans might have missed an opportunity to post a higher total than 168, considering the pitch didn’t seem overly challenging, with only slight assistance for the spinners. Several Gujarat batsmen got starts but failed to capitalize on them. While Sai Sudharsan scored a respectable 45, Shubman Gill’s innings of 31 included three fours and a six. The team seemed to rely on one of their top-order batsmen to convert these starts into substantial scores after settling in.
Bumrah’s Brilliance Restricts Titans
The inability of Gujarat Titans to capitalize on their starts can be attributed to the exceptional performance of Jasprit Bumrah. Surprisingly, Jasprit Bumrah was not given the new ball by the new Skipper Hardik Pandya, and chose to bowl himself upfront. However, Bumrah showcased his class, his figures of 3-14 were instrumental in applying the brakes on Gujarat’s innings and taking crucial wickets. He showcased his full range of skills, first dismissing Wriddhiman Saha with a yorker, then outfoxing David Miller with a slower delivery, and finally getting Sai Sudharsan caught in the deep.
Jasprit Bumrah- Gerald Coetzee Duo Tightens Screws
Bumrah’s timely strikes ensured that Gujarat’s momentum was consistently halted, especially in the crucial death overs. Meanwhile, MI’s newest recruit, pacer Gerald Coetzee, made a significant impact, particularly in complementing Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling. Coetzee was held back for the second half of the innings, a strategic move that paid off. He first dismissed Azmatullah Omarzai, who was looking to attack, by inducing a catch off a hard-length delivery.
In the latter stages of the innings, Gujarat appeared poised to score more than they eventually did, especially when Rahul Tewatia took on Luke Wood in the 18th over, scoring 19 runs. However, Bumrah and Coetzee tightened the screws, conceding only 12 runs in the last two overs. Coetzee also claimed the wicket of Tewatia, further bolstering MI’s efforts. Overall, MI’s new captain, Hardik Pandya, executed his plans effectively. However, despite the team’s efforts, they were unable to win over the crowd, who seemed displeased with Pandya’s decision to transfer from Gujarat Titans.
Sharma-Brevis Partnership leads the Charge for MI
Chasing 169, Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis spearheaded Mumbai Indians’ chase after a disappointing start that saw Ishan Kishan dismissed for a four-ball duck. Naman Dhir provided a brief spark with a quick 20 off 10 balls at No. 3. Rohit and Brevis then took advantage of the dewy conditions, adding a brisk 77-run partnership. During this phase, left-arm spinner Sai Kishore emerged as Gujarat’s most effective bowler, conceding just 24 runs in his four overs and crucially dismissing Rohit Sharma lbw, which triggered a dramatic turnaround in the match.
Mohit Sharma’s Death Bowling Masterclass
It looked like a comfortable victory for the Mumbai Indians but the Titans had other plans as delivered a death bowling masterclass, led by the experienced Mohit Sharma. Sharma utilized his back-of-the-hand slower deliveries effectively on a pitch offering grip, making him difficult to score against. His impact was immediate, dismissing Dewald Brevis with a caught and bowled effort, followed by a well-executed bouncer to dismiss Tim David, caught superbly by David Miller in the deep.
With 39 runs needed off the final three overs, Tilak Varma and David were at the crease, but Varma’s cautious approach, denying singles off Rashid Khan’s final over, added to the mounting pressure. Rashid Khan, in turn, didn’t concede any boundaries in the over, tightening the screws further. Spencer Johnson, tasked with the penultimate over, started with a six but quickly regained control. He dismissed Varma with a catch at fine leg and then bowled Coetzee with a caught and bowled effort, sealing a brilliant bowling display by the Titans under pressure.
Hardik Pandya’s Brief Blitz Ends in Disappointment
In a dramatic climax, the Gujarat Titans found their former skipper, Hardik Pandya, standing between them and victory. Pandya, who had bided his time before entering the fray, showcased his power-hitting prowess by smashing a six and a four off the first two deliveries bowled by Umesh Yadav. And the equation was reduced to 9 runs needed off four balls.
However, Pandya’s innings came to an abrupt end as he attempted to pull a short delivery, only to be caught at long-on. His dismissal marked the decisive moment, sealing Mumbai Indians’ rapid decline after a promising start and securing a dream finish for the Titans. Despite Gujarat’s middling total, their bowlers managed to create significant pressure, making the chase look more challenging than anticipated.
Look Ahead to Next Matches
After their thrilling victory, Gujarat Titans will have a quick turnaround as they travel to Chennai to face Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday, March 26. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians will head south to Hyderabad, where they will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday, March 27. Both teams will be looking to carry their momentum forward and secure another win in the IPL.