It was a huge occasion for Shubman Gill as he registered his first win as Gujarat TItans skipper after his team defeated Mumbai Indians in their opening match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Gill was appointed GT skipper after Hardik Pandya completed a trade move from GT to MI. Incidentally, his first win came against a Hardik-led MI side and his captaincy was praised by several fans and experts. Following the victory, he shared an emotional moment with his father and sister after returning to the team hotel and the video of the entire exchange has gone viral on social media.
An inexplicable batting strategy by Mumbai Indians at the death saw Shubman Gill make an auspicious debut as Gujarat Titans captain with a thrilling six-run victory in their opening IPL game on Sunday.
Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) was at his absolute best in his first IPL game in two years, firing in his express yorkers at will to help Mumbai Indians restrict Gujarat Titans to 168/6.
But Bumrah's effort was not enough as batters like Tilak Varma and skipper Hardik Pandya failed to complement his brilliance.
MI ended at 162/9 as things went downhill when all they needed was 43 runs off last five overs with seven wickets in hand.
MI thus failed to break their opening game jinx. The last time they won their IPL opener was against Chennai Super Kings way back in 2012.
While spinners Rashid Khan (0/23 in 4 overs) and R Sai Kishore (1/24) gave very little with the ball despite the dew setting in, veteran Mohit Sharma (2/32) used his variations with different types of slower deliveries to turn the course of the match.
Spencer Johnson (2/25) and Umesh Yadav (2/32) were brilliant bowling the 19th and 20th over as Hardik Pandya relegating himself to No. 7 in batting order is something that would need explanation. He did hit a six and four in the last over but Umesh had the last laugh.
(With PTI inputs)