Daijiworld Media Network – Mullanpur
Mullanpur, May 31: Mumbai Indians held their nerve in a high-voltage IPL 2025 Eliminator to edge past Gujarat Titans by 20 runs on Friday, sealing their place in qualifier 2. A fiery knock from Rohit Sharma (81 off 50) and an explosive debut by Jonny Bairstow (47 off 22) powered MI to a commanding 228/5. Despite a valiant chase led by Sai Sudharsan (80 off 49), Titans fell short at 208/6, bowing out of the tournament.
The match, played under heavy dew at Mullanpur, saw Gujarat Titans struggle in the field, dropping three crucial catches two of Rohit and one of Suryakumar Yadav costing them dearly. Sudharsan's classy knock kept hopes alive until the 16th over, but MI’s disciplined death bowling, led by Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Richard Gleeson, sealed the win.
"Definitely not easy when we drop three sitters. Doesn’t help the bowlers either," admitted Titans skipper Shubman Gill post-match.
Bairstow, who joined MI after impressive form in county cricket, lit up the powerplay by smashing Prasidh Krishna for 26 runs in one over, setting the tone. Rohit capitalized on dropped chances and dominated both pace and spin, including a rare assault on Rashid Khan.
Mumbai posted their best powerplay score of the season 79/0 in 6 overs and rode the momentum with valuable contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (33), Tilak Varma (25), and Hardik Pandya, who finished strong with a couple of sixes.
In response, Titans showed fight with Sudharsan and Washington Sundar (48 off 24) leading the charge. But key wickets in quick succession, including Bumrah’s yorker to dismiss Sundar and Gleeson’s crucial breakthrough against Sudharsan, tilted the game back in MI’s favour.
With 24 needed off the final over, Gleeson bowled three near-perfect deliveries despite a hamstring niggle. Vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav took charge in the final moments, handing the ball to Ashwini Kumar to wrap up the match once the result was out of reach.
Mumbai Indians now move to Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday where they will face Punjab Kings for a spot in the final.