Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians, Eliminator Match Summary

Right then. Gujarat Titans' journey ends in the Eliminator of IPL 2025, despite being solid throughout the season. Lack of momentum before the playoffs probably hurt them in this match, despite being in a good position. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, came into this match having won 7 out of their previous 9 matches and it was that winning factor which kept them in the game throughout. They now head to Ahmedabad, to take on Punjab Kings on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Qualifier 2 and will hope that this momentum takes them into the final on Tuesday. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (1400 GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Mumbai Indians' ROHIT SHARMA HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic 81 (50). He is informed that every time Rohit has crossed 50 this season, MI have won. On this, Sharma says that he has got only 4 fifties and would have definitely loved to get more. Believes that it was a good day for the team, to get through the Eliminator and take the next step forward. Calls it a team performance and is proud of the same. On whether he looked to lead from the front, given his experience, RS says that when he plays the game, he tries to understand how he can give his best and do the job for the team. Adds that, in this game, after getting some luck, he tried to make the most of that. Praises the team for batting well to get 228 and adds that everyone knew it will be challenging with the dew coming in. Praises the MI bowlers for doing well despite the dew. On the feeling of this being his day after the dropped catches, Rohit Sharma says that he has played all those shots in the games before but unfortunately, have found fielders. Somewhere down the line, he believes that you have got to be lucky and in this game, he got that luck as those catches got dropped. But adds that even after those drops you still have to play well and get those runs. Feels that he was able to bat well, maintain the tempo and credits the batting unit. On Jonny Bairstow, Rohit says that he has watched him over the years being on the other side and feels nice to be on the same side and have a crack at it. Details that MI know what he can do upfront with the bat and it never looked like it was his first game for the franchise. Further says that Bairstow took chances and those came off. Ends by saying that because of that start, MI capitalized.

The victorious skipper of Mumbai Indians, HARDIK PANDYA, says that at one point, the game was even-stevens. Feels that the wicket got better in the second innings and the MI bowlers had to stick to their lines and lengths. Praises the way Jonny Bairstow batted and also how Rohit Sharma batted, taking his time and getting into rhythm, calling it beautiful. Eventually, praises everyone for chipping in well. On his own batting in the last over, Hardik says that he wanted a couple of more sixes. Details that in games like these, small margins like these help. On how to plan the 4 overs of Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya smiles and says that whenever he thinks that the game is going away, brings Bumrah onto bowl. Calls Bumrah to be similar to the house rates in Mumbai, as in, that expensive. Calls him magical. On how to utilize Bumrah's final over towards the end, HP says that he looked at the scorecard and thought about keeping some extra runs at the end. Feels that he had the bowlers to bowl those and if Bumrah could come in and push the margin away, it could help the team and he did. On the recovery before Qualifier 2, in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya says that it is very important to recover. Given that MI will be travelling, they need good rest.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Mumbai Indians' ASHWANI KUMAR is up for a chat now. On the message given to the bowlers during the innings break, Ashwani says that the wicket was flat, so the bowlers to keep the line strict. On being asked whether he was aware from the start that he would be the impact sub, Ashwani denies it, stating that probably it was going to be a spinner but because of the dew, maybe he got called in. On his mental preparation on such a late call, AK says that he was just chatting with the coaches and preparing as per the team plan. On his heartbeat during the chase, Ashwani Kumar states that he was just trying to stick to the plan and his basics. On his thought process while bowling the last over, Kumar shrugs it off, saying that all he thought was not to give extras and hit the normal length and yorkers.

The skipper of Gujarat Titans, SHUBMAN GILL, says that Gujarat were right in the game, but the last 3-4 overs did not go their way. Feels that it was a good game of cricket. On the dropped catches, Gill admits that it is not easy when the Titans dropped 3 sitters in the Powerplay, when it wasn't easy for the bowlers to control. On the message to Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar when the dew set in, Shubman says that the message was simple - Play the way you want to play and try to make the team win. Agrees that because of the dew, the wicket did become easier for Gujarat in the second innings. On the positives from the tournament, SG says a lot have come from this edition. Accepts the fact that the last 2-3 games did not go Gujarat's way but credits Sudharsan for being terrific throughout the season. On a par score on this pitch, Shubman Gill feels that 210 would have been par on this wicket. Adds that if GT had contained 1 or 2 sixes in the last over, it would have made a big difference.

Catches may or may not win you matches. But dropped catches certainly hit a nail in your coffin. Gujarat Titans dropped three catches, all in the Powerplay, 2 of those being of Rohit Sharma and had to pay big time for those. Led by Rohit's 81 and powered by cameos from others, MI posted 228/5. Because of the dropped chances, GT could never keep Mumbai in check and the last over, which went for 22, hurt them very badly.

A good game for the MI bowlers to have. They were tested with the wet ball but did not lose hope even when wickets were not coming their way. As always, Jasprit Bumrah stood out, not only bowling well and being economical but breaking the crucial 84-run stand between Sundar and Sudharsan with a cracking yorker. The others went around the park but young Ashwani Kumar managed to hold his nerves even when the ball was travelling. Should MI be bowling second on Sunday, or say on Tuesday, if they make it to the final, dew will challenge them again and this experience will help them a lot.

At the innings break, 229 seemed to be a massive target but the onset of dew made things challenging for the MI bowlers. They struggled to control the wet ball and despite the early wicket of Shubman Gill, could not contain the Titans. Gujarat tried to mirror Mumbai, with one batter aiming to bat deep and that was Sai Sudharsan. Rohit made 81 (50) while Sudharsan made 80 (49). Rohit staged good partnerships with Bairstow, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. Sudharsan managed decent partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Washington Sundar. In fact, check this out - MI were 206/5 after 19 overs. GT were 205/5. So it was not as if it was not planned at all, but Hardik's onslaught in that 20th over made all the difference.

Champion-stuff display by Mumbai Indians to get past Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. At the toss, Hardik did mention that they have been playing the past few games like a knockout and this was literally a knockout. Set the ball rolling with the bat and barring a brief period during the chase, never looked perturbed. Puts them in tremendous shape to meet Punjab, who were desolated on Thursday.

A total celebration douser on the last ball. Ashwani Kumar landed the ball on a length, around leg stump, Rashid looked to heave but missed and was hit on the pads. Kumar appealed but the umpire did not raise his finger. MI were celebrating for the win but Hardik decided to take the review, just to see whether the youngster could get another wicket. Technology showed the ball to be pitching outside leg and that ended the story. MUMBAI INDIANS WIN BY 20 RUNS AND ENTER QUALIFIER 2 TO MEET PUNJAB KINGS!

Oh wow. There is some drama left. Mumbai Indians have won the game but they want to review for LBW! Looks to be pitching outside leg. By a mile. What an anticlimax. If it matters, review lost for MI.

Terrific yorker, outside off, Rashid Khan cannot get it away.

Rashid Khan is in now at number 8, replacing Shahrukh Khan.

OUT! CAUGHT! And Ashwani strikes on the first ball of his new over. Full and outside off, Shahrukh Khan drives it uppishly but straight to Suryakumar Yadav at cover! The star makes no mistake and Khan departs for 13 (7).

Gleeson is leaving the field now, to get his hamstring checked. And Hardik Pandya has thrown the ball to Ashwani Kumar to finish off the pending over. 3-0-28-0 so far.

Superb effort in the deep! Fuller one and outside off, Shahrukh Khan slices it away towards deep point. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and dives to push it back inside. Mitchell Santner is there to back his buddy and keeps it down to two runs. It is MI's game to lose now!

Excellent stuff! Short of a length and well outside off, Shahrukh Khan tries to reach out for it but only manages to stab it back to the bowler. Every ball has to go for a boundary or a six now!

Fuller in length and around middle, Rahul Tewatia backs away and swings, but his bat turns in his hands. He mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket for just a single. 23 needed in 5 now!

Boult does love bowling to Rutherford in the IPL. That's the 3rd time in 8 balls that he has dismissed the West Indian. In 4 meetings, he has conceded just 9 runs! Richard Gleeson to bowl the final over. 3-0-36-1 so far. But he pulls up right at the delivery stride and has to reload. Seems like a hamstring issue but he is good enough now.

SIX! MURDERED! A slower ball, on a length, on middle, Shahrukh Khan picks the length in a trice and swings it over mid-wicket! 12 from the over and Boult finishes with figures of 4-0-56-2. 24 needed in the last over now.

Gets across to lap it fine and Boult gives him a low full toss around leg stump. Tewatia connects well and sweeps it straight to Jasprit Bumrah at fine leg for a run.

On the money again. Excellent yorker, around off, Shahrukh Khan digs it out towards cover for a single.

Fuller one and on middle, angling in, Shahrukh Khan has a big swing at it but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls away through square leg. Two more runs added to the total.

Good length and around off, Shahrukh Khan stabs it out through covers and hurries back for the secone run.

Shahrukh Khan walks in next at number 7, replacing Sherfane Rutherford.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Trent Boult strikes at a crucial time for MI! Sherfane Rutherford cannot believe it, as this was right in the slot. Full and on middle, angling, there to be put away. Rutherford clears his front leg away and looks to slog it over mid-wicket, but gets it from the toe-end of the bat and fails to get the timing right. The ball flies in the air, and Tilak Varma at deep mid-wicket runs forward and takes the catch. A huge blow for GT as SR departs for 24 off 15. They still need 36 runs in 11 balls.

Trent Boult to bowl the 19th over. 3-0-44-1 so far.

Yorker, around leg stump, squeezed down to long off for one more. 4-0-27-1 for Jasprit Bumrah, another commendable effort.

Down the leg side, Tewatia misses his sweep. Gets it off the pads towards fine leg for a single. Leg bye signalled.