Steady start for Mumbai Indians as Bairstow, Rohit anchor early overs

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.

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