Mumbai Indians 228/5 (Rohit 81, Bairstow 47, Suryakumar 33) beat Gujarat Titans 208/6 (Sai Sudharsan 80, Washington 48, Boult 2-56) by 20 runs
The IPL 2025 Eliminator saw a masterclass from Mumbai Indians (MI), who managed to fend off a late surge from Gujarat Titans (GT) and clinch a 20-run victory. With only two wins needed for a historic sixth title, MI demonstrated their pressure-proof mentality.
The Calm Before the Storm: GT’s Solid Start
Gujarat Titans’ chase got off to a decent start with a steady 91-run partnership between Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Despite a shaky beginning, they kept their hopes alive with some smart cricket. By the time they reached 130/2 in 12 overs, the target was still manageable. However, MI’s plans to disrupt GT were executed well with disciplined bowling.
Strategic Decisions & Turning Points
At the halfway mark, GT had a challenging decision on their hands: whether to go for the medium pace of Ashwani Kumar or stick to leg spin with Raghu Sharma. MI’s Mahela Jayawardene, knowing that the dew would play a role, decided to go with Ashwani’s yorkers, a decision that paid off when it mattered most.
Pressure Builds: The Key Moment
GT faced a crucial juncture in the 13th over when Sundar, seeing through the pace of Trent Boult’s variations, smacked two consecutive sixes to reduce the equation to 81 from 7 overs. At that point, a brief medical break for Suryakumar Yadav gave MI the chance to regroup. Upon resumption, Bumrah delivered a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Sundar, who had been threatening to take the game away. This dismissal, at a time when GT’s chances were still alive, proved to be the turning point.
Ashwani Kumar Steps Up Under Pressure
Ashwani Kumar, 23, had been marked as a potential target for GT but bowled two crucial overs under immense pressure. Despite the odds, he restricted GT to just 9 runs per over, executing the plan perfectly with hard-length deliveries.
Final Push and Key Moments
Though Rutherford, another key player, launched a six off Bumrah, the equation soon became too steep. With 36 needed off 12 balls, MI sealed the game with key dismissals and tactical bowling. Boult and Ashwani kept the ball away from GT’s big hitters, ultimately claiming victory for MI.
MI’s Winning Culture: The Key to Success
MI’s victory was built on years of experience and a winning mentality, something their senior players have instilled in the squad. MI’s head coach, Mahela Jayawardene, emphasized the importance of staying focused during tight situations. “We know how to push through and never give up,” Jayawardene said post-match. “We’ve instilled that mentality in the new players, especially after the big auction. It’s about knowing we’ll always fight through, even when we’re in tough situations.”
Looking Ahead: MI’s Historic Sixth Title
From struggling at the bottom of the points table in April, MI has made a remarkable comeback. With their sights set on a sixth title, MI is just two wins away from making history.
