Rohit-Bumrah turn back the clock in IPL eliminator classic, beat GT by 20 runs

Mumbai Indians marched into Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 after securing a thrilling 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a high-octane IPL 2025 Eliminator on Friday. A commanding all-round performance, led by Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 off just 50 balls and Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional death bowling, ensured MI’s survival in the knockout stages of the tournament.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat on a batting-friendly surface at Mullanpur, Mumbai Indians posted a mammoth 228/5 in their 20 overs. Jonny Bairstow, making his debut for the franchise, gave the team a blazing start with a quickfire 47 from just 22 deliveries. The Englishman’s aggressive approach dismantled Gujarat’s bowling rhythm early, as he smashed 26 runs in a single over off Prasidh Krishna.

Rohit Sharma, who was handed two reprieves in the powerplay, made full use of his lifelines. The seasoned opener produced a sublime knock, laced with effortless strokes and impeccable timing, ensuring the momentum never dipped. Suryakumar Yadav added impetus through the middle with a fluent 33, while Tilak Varma and captain Hardik Pandya provided vital finishing touches, with cameos that pushed Mumbai beyond the 225-run mark.

In response, Gujarat Titans suffered an early jolt with the dismissal of their skipper, Shubman Gill, for just 1 in the opening over, trapped in front by Trent Boult. However, B Sai Sudharsan anchored the innings beautifully with a classy 80, continuing his prolific form this season. Washington Sundar played a blistering hand, striking 48 off just 19 deliveries to keep Gujarat within striking distance of the steep target.

Despite a valiant effort by the Titans’ middle order, Mumbai’s bowlers held their nerve. Jasprit Bumrah, MI’s ever-reliable spearhead, delivered a brilliant spell, especially at the death, choking the run flow just when GT looked poised for a dramatic finish. Richard Gleeson also made a key impact by dismissing the dangerous Sudharsan at a crucial juncture, tilting the game decisively in Mumbai’s favour.

In the final over, with 24 runs needed, GT still had hope, but Bumrah’s precision ensured there were no last-over heroics. MI sealed the contest by 20 runs and eliminated the Titans, who had faltered in crucial moments, including dropping three catches.

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.

Mumbai Indians marched into Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025 after securing a thrilling 20-run win over Gujarat Titans. A commanding all-round performance, led by Rohit Sharma’s vintage 81 off just 50 balls and Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional death bowling, ensured MI’s survival in the knockout stages of the tournament.

GT: 208/6 (20)

That final-ball six has breathed new life into Gujarat Titans` chase, dampening what was otherwise a brilliant over from Trent Boult. Just when Mumbai looked to have tightened the noose, a late flourish keeps the Titans` hopes flickering. Now, with 24 runs required off the final 6 deliveries, all eyes are on Richard Gleeson, who has been handed the responsibility of bowling the decisive over

GT: 205/5 (19)

Richard Gleeson might have flown under the radar for most of the evening, but he’s made his mark when it truly mattered. The English pacer breaks the Titans` backbone by dismissing the well-set Sai Sudharsan for a brilliant 80. A massive breakthrough at a crucial juncture, and Gleeson is visibly fired up! With Gujarat losing their fourth wicket, this could very well be the turning point that swings the game firmly in Mumbai Indians’ favour.

GT 170/4 (15.4)

Hardik Pandya concedes 13 runs in his over as Sundar unleashes a boundary and a six! The Titans have seized control of the match, gaining momentum with every ball. They’ll be looking to replicate this kind of pressure in the upcoming overs. Meanwhile, Sudharsan remains composed and steady at the crease, anchoring the innings with calm determination.

GT 119/2 (11)

Sai Sudharsan brings up his sixth fifty of the season in just 28 deliveries. It has been a standout campaign for the young southpaw, and he is reinforcing his status as one of IPL 2025`s brightest stars.

GT 76/2 (7)

Kusal Mendis suffersa hit-wicket dismissal just when he was gaining momentum. His back leg clipped the base of the off stump, dislodging the bails. A promising knock ends in the most unexpected fashion, and Mendis can’t believe it. He was looking in fine touch before this mishap cut his innings short

GT 67/2 (6.2)

Gujarat Titans have found their footing with a much-needed counterattack. Kusal Mendis launched two towering sixes off Trent Boult, while Sai Sudharsan added another maximum to the tally. This explosive over has injected momentum into the chase. If this pair can build a solid partnership and stay at the crease, GT could claw their way back into contention.

GT: 30/1 (3)

Trent Boult delivered yet again with trademark precision, removing the dangerous Shubman Gill early in the innings. The Gujarat Titans skipper was trapped plumb in front for just one run, leaving his side reeling in the powerplay. In a moment of desperation, Gill opted for a review, but it proved futile, costing his team a DRS. The seasoned Kiwi pacer once again rose to the occasion, striking early to rattle Gujarat’s top order and hand Mumbai Indians a massive early breakthrough.

GT: 3/1 (0.4)

Gujarat Titans face a challenging chase as Mumbai Indians set a formidable target of 228/5, powered by Rohit Sharma’s commanding 81-run innings.

MI: 228/5 (20)

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