source : BCCI
In a thrilling IPL 2025 clash at Ahmedabad, Gujarat Titans (GT) showcased their dominance by securing a 36-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI). On a black-soil pitch where a par score was expected to be around 180, GT managed to post an impressive total of 196 for 8, thanks to a stellar performance by Sai Sudharsan, who scored 63 runs. Despite Hardik Pandya’s return to MI after an over-rate ban, his team struggled in all aspects, failing to match GT’s all-round brilliance. The match saw moments of concern as Sudharsan briefly left the field clutching his hamstring, but Shubman Gill later confirmed it was just a cramp, putting to rest any injury fears for the Titans.
Gujarat Titans made a strategic decision to exploit the slow surface, a move that paid off as Gill and Sudharsan capitalized on the powerplay. GT had struggled with powerplay scores in the past, but this time, they set the tempo early. The duo scored a rapid 32 off 18 balls each, pushing GT to 66 for no loss in the first six overs—one of their best powerplay performances in IPL history. However, after the fielding restrictions were lifted, MI managed to claw back some control. Hardik Pandya dismissed Gill with a well-placed short ball, proving his effectiveness once again. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler tried to anchor MI’s chase but was removed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, leaving MI with a steep challenge.
Sai Sudharsan continued his fantastic form, reaching his half-century in just 33 balls. However, GT faced a collapse in the death overs as Trent Boult’s yorker trapped Sudharsan lbw, followed by quick dismissals of Rahul Tewatia and Sherfane Rutherford. Despite late efforts from Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada, GT could only add 26 runs in the final three overs. Nevertheless, their 196-run total still posed a daunting task for MI, who needed a strong start in their chase.
Mumbai Indians’ chase began on an aggressive note, with Rohit Sharma finding the boundary early on. However, Mohammed Siraj broke his long-standing struggle against Rohit by dismissing him with a scrambled-seam delivery that shattered the stumps. Tilak Varma attempted to revive the innings with a fiery knock, but Ryan Rickelton’s struggles at the other end stifled MI’s momentum. At the end of the powerplay, MI stood at 48 for 2, needing a steady partnership to keep their hopes alive. Suryakumar Yadav provided that spark, launching a series of sixes, including his signature ‘supla’ shot over fine leg. He and Tilak built a solid 62-run stand before MI’s chase started unraveling.
The turning point came when Prasidh Krishna introduced clever variations in pace, using slower deliveries to perfection. He removed Tilak with a short ball and then got Suryakumar to mistime his signature shot, gloving the ball onto his helmet. Hardik Pandya received a mixed reception from the crowd as he walked in, but his struggles with timing only worsened MI’s situation. With the asking rate soaring, Suryakumar’s attempt to take on Prasidh ended in disappointment as he holed out to long-off. Kagiso Rabada sealed the deal by dismissing Hardik, effectively burying MI’s chances. Despite a few late boundaries from Dhir and Santner, the target was out of reach, handing GT a convincing victory and reinforcing their status as serious title contenders.
