Mumbai Indians (MI) delivered a clinical performance to knock out Gujarat Titans (GT) from IPL 2025 with a commanding 20-run win in the Eliminator at Mullanpur on Friday. The result sets up a Qualifier 2 clash between MI and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad on June 1, with the winner advancing to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final on June 3.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live, former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers lauded MI’s resilience under pressure.
“The players known for stepping up in knockouts faced their fears and delivered. No one gave GT a chance at the halfway mark, but MI held their nerve — especially Jasprit Bumrah, who just keeps delivering in the big moments,” said de Villiers.
He pinpointed Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal as the turning point:
“He’d nailed that shot all season, but it didn’t come off when it mattered most. Everything seemed to go wrong for GT — dropped catches, hit wickets, chaotic moments — yet they still made it a contest.”
Match Highlights:
- Toss: MI won and opted to bat.
- Openers on Fire:
- Jonny Bairstow (47 off 22, 4x4s, 3x6s) and Rohit Sharma took apart GT’s pacers.
- Rohit hammered 81 off 50 balls (9x4s, 4x6s), reaching 7,000 IPL runs, becoming the second player after Virat Kohli to achieve the feat.
- Middle-Order Firepower:
- Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 20), Tilak Varma (25 off 11), and Hardik Pandya (22* off 9) provided a blazing finish.
- MI posted a formidable 228/5.
- GT Bowling Standouts:
- Sai Kishore (2/42) and Prasidh Krishna (2/53) were among wickets.
GT’s Chase:
- Early Jolt: Skipper Shubman Gill fell early.
- Fightback by Sudharsan and Co.:
- Sai Sudharsan (80 off 49) built half-century partnerships with Kusal Mendis (20 off 10) and Washington Sundar (48 off 24).
- Despite staying ahead of the required run rate, GT faltered in the final overs.
- Death Bowling Brilliance:
- MI bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult (2/56), Richard Gleeson, Ashwani Kumar, and Mitchell Santner, closed the game out clinically.
- GT managed 208/6, falling 20 runs short.
Player of the Match:
Rohit Sharma for his match-defining 81 and setting the tone for MI’s innings.
What’s Next?
- Qualifier 2: MI vs PBKS – June 1, Ahmedabad
- Final: Winner of Qualifier 2 vs RCB – June 3
MI, now one step away from a potential sixth IPL title, will look to carry this momentum against a dangerous Punjab outfit.