Ahmedabad, Mar 29 (UNI) Sai Sudharsan's composed yet aggressive innings of 63 off 41 balls guided Gujarat Titans (GT) to a commanding 36-run victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ninth match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at Narendra Modi Stadium here on Saturday.
Opting to field first, MI struck early, but Sudharsan anchored GT's innings with a well-crafted knock that included four boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 153.66. The left-hander found his rhythm early, flicking a delivery from Trent Boult for a stylish boundary in the second over.
Sudarshan later displayed his innovative stroke play, ramping a short ball from Satyanarayana Raju over the keeper for four. He reached his half-century in the 15th over with a single past point and continued to accelerate before perishing in the 17th over, attempting a big shot off Raju.
Supporting Sudharsan, skipper Shubman Gill contributed a steady 38 off 27 balls, capitalising on loose deliveries, including a fine pull shot off Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the powerplay. Jos Buttler provided an explosive start, smashing 39 off 24 deliveries, peppering the boundary with five fours and a six. Buttler was fortunate early on when a fielder at long-on misjudged a catch, stepping onto the boundary rope in the ninth over.
Despite useful cameos from Shahrukh Khan (9), Sherfane Rutherford (18), and Rashid Khan (6), GT lost wickets in clusters towards the end. A late collapse saw them slip from 179/4 to 196/8, with Rahul Tewatia falling to an unfortunate run-out without facing a delivery, thanks to a sharp throw from Hardik Pandya.
Pandya led MI’s bowling attack with figures of 2/29 in four overs. Boult (1/34), Deepak Chahar (1/39), Rahman (1/28), and Raju (1/40) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs. MI also burned a review in the 11th over when Pandya’s caught-behind appeal against Buttler was overturned by UltraEdge.
Chasing 197, MI’s innings got off to a dramatic start. Rohit Sharma began with back-to-back boundaries off Mohammad Siraj in the first over, flicking one through mid-on and another down the leg side. However, Siraj had the last laugh, knocking over Rohit with a delivery that nipped back in and hit the top of the bails in the very next over. Siraj followed it up by dismissing Ryan Rickelton (6), who inside-edged onto his stumps in the fifth over, celebrating with a CR7-style jump that electrified the spectators.
Tilak Varma looked in fine touch, striking consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in the second over and later heaving one over mid-wicket. He scored 39 off 36 before falling to Prasidh Krishna in the 12th over, failing to control a lofted shot, as Rahul Tewatia ran in from long-on to complete a sliding catch.
Suryakumar Yadav injected momentum into the chase with a sparkling 48 off 28 balls, including a sublime four and four sixes. His innings came to an end in the 16th over when he misjudged a slower ball from Prasidh, skying it high for Gill to complete the catch at long-off.
Robin Minz struggled during his brief stay and was dismissed for 3 off 6, attempting to loft Sai Kishore but only managing an edge to Ishant Sharma at short third man. Pandya, under pressure to accelerate, managed just 11 off 17 before miscuing a short ball from Rabada to Siraj at short third man in the 17th over. Siraj almost lost sight of it under the lights but held on to seal MI’s fate.
Naman Dhir (18*) and Mitchell Santner (18*) played a few crisp shots towards the end, including a well-timed flick by Dhir off Prasidh in the 18th over that raced to the boundary. However, the required rate had ballooned beyond reach, and MI could only muster 160/6 in their 20 overs, falling short by 36 runs.
Among GT bowlers, Prasidh Krishna (2/18) and Sai Kishore (1/37) were instrumental, while Siraj (2/34) and Rabada (1/42) provided crucial breakthroughs to restrict MI.
With this win, Gujarat strengthened their position in the points table, while Mumbai Indians were left searching for answers after their second consecutive loss in IPL 2025.
UNI BDN SS