Mumbai post highest IPL total at Mullanpur, Gujarat need 229 runs to win

The IPL 2025 Eliminator at Mullanpur on Friday sets the stage for a high-stakes encounter between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, with a coveted Qualifier 2 berth on the line. Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first, placing his side in control of the early tempo in this winner-takes-all contest.

This clash is more than just a knockout match, it is a reunion of former allies turned rivals. Pandya and Shubman Gill, once teammates and instrumental to Gujarat Titans’ early IPL success, now lead their respective franchises into a pivotal battle for survival. With the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in sight and Punjab Kings awaiting in Qualifier 2, both captains have everything to play for.

For Gill, this Eliminator carries added significance. Recently appointed captain of India’s Test team, he enters this match not just with a playoff spot at stake, but also a chance to bolster his credentials as a leader ahead of the critical England Test series. Taking his side past the seasoned Mumbai outfit would go a long way in affirming his stature as a captain who thrives under pressure.

Gill has been a standout performer in IPL playoff fixtures. Across 10 appearances in knockout stages, spanning his stints with Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans, he has amassed 474 runs at a staggering average of 52.66 and a commanding strike rate of 145.39. His playoff pedigree includes a sensational 129 off 60 balls against the very team he faces today, Mumbai Indians. That innings remains one of the most dominant playoff knocks in IPL history.

Pandya, on the other hand, is seeking redemption. After enduring mixed responses upon his return to Mumbai this season, the five-time IPL champion is keen to guide his team into another title push. A strong performance here could not only silence critics but also underline his evolution as a mature leader.

GT vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator live updates: Full squads

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan, Karim Janat, Sherfane Rutherford, Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Kulwant Khejroliya, Mohammed Siraj, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Jos Buttler.

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya (captain), Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Bevon Jacobs, Robin Minz, Krishnan Shrijith, Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Arjun Tendulkar, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley, Karn Sharma, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Satyanarayana Raju, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Raghu Sharma, Jonny Bairstow, Richard Gleeson, Charith Asalanka

GT vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator live updates: Toss update

Mumbai Indians’ Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first in a winner-takes-it-all battle against Gujarat Titans on Friday

GT vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator live updates: Playing XIs

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis(w), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson

GT vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator live updates: Match begins!

Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow, who replaced the in-form Ryan Rickleton, walks out to bat. Mohammed Siraj opens the proceedings for Gujarat Titans.

Prasidh Krishna struck once more to secure the Purple Cap with his 25th wicket of IPL 2025, dismissing Naman Dhir thanks to a spectacular catch by Rashid Khan. Krishna’s delivery, intended as a yorker, was slightly fuller and hit the stumps, sealing the wicket.

MI: 212/5 (19.2)

Mohammed Siraj trapped Tilak Varma with a cunning slower delivery, while Kusal Mendis secured a crucial catch behind the stumps after a determined effort.

MI: 194/4 (17.2)

Rohit Sharma’s scintillating innings came to a halt at 81 off just 50 deliveries, as Prasidh Krishna outfoxed the veteran with a cleverly disguised slower ball in the 17th over. Attempting to accelerate further, Rohit misjudged the pace and ended up offering a simple catch, drawing curtains on a commanding knock that had laid the foundation for Mumbai’s innings.

MI: 194/3 (17.1)

Sai Kishore delivered once again at a crucial moment, striking on the final ball of his spell to remove the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav for 33. Bowling a quicker, loopy delivery outside off at 95 kmph, Kishore tempted SKY into playing an aggressive sweep. However, the timing deserted him, and the ball flew straight into the hands of the fielder stationed at deep backward square leg.

MI: 143/2 (13)

Rohit Sharma brings up his fifty in just 28 balls. The Mumbai maestro is in full flow, showcasing pure class and aggression in equal measure.

MI: 103/1 (10)

Sai Sudharsan put in a stunning effort at short third, diving to his left to intercept Bairstow’s reverse sweep. He parried the ball perfectly to Gerald Coetzee, who completed a smart relay catch, and just like that, the dangerous Jonny Bairstow departs for 47.

MI: 89/1 (8)

Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow look in sublime touch, finding the gaps and clearing the ropes with ease. Even in the sixth over, Rohit took Sai Kishore to school, dispatching him for three commanding boundaries. Gujarat Titans are clearly feeling the heat, desperately searching for a breakthrough to stop this blazing opening stand.

MI: 79/0 (6)

Rohit Sharma took on Siraj in his second spell, smashing him for back-to-back boundaries. Moments later, he got a lucky escape as Kusal Mendis dropped a sharp edge behind the stumps, two lifelines in just three overs for the Hitman.

MI: 28/0 (3)

Mumbai got off to a promising start with a few well-timed strokes, but none found the boundary. Bairstow and Sharma are now settled at the crease and looking to set the tone for Mumbai as the second over begins.

MI: 6/0 (1)

This article first appeared on Mid Day