Mumbai Indians delivered a commanding performance in the IPL 2025 Eliminator on Friday night, defeating Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in a high-scoring encounter at Mullanpur. The victory propels MI into the second qualifier, where they will face Punjab Kings on Sunday for a coveted place in the final.
MI, opting to bat first after winning the toss, got off to a thunderous start thanks to openers Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow. The duo tore into GT’s bowling attack, putting on a partnership of 84 runs in just more than seven overs. Bairstow, making his first appearance this season as a replacement for Ryan Rickelton — who returned home to prepare for the ICC World Test Championship final, made an instant impact with a brisk 47 off 22 balls, laced with four boundaries and three sixes.
Rohit Sharma, however, stole the spotlight with a masterful 81 from 50 deliveries, registering his fourth half-century of the tournament. His innings featured nine boundaries and four maximums, providing MI with a formidable platform. The rest of the batting lineup capitalised on the solid start, pushing the total to a daunting 228.
In response, Gujarat Titans faced an early setback when captain Shubman Gill was dismissed cheaply for just one run off two balls. Despite the early blow, Sai Sudharsan showcased his consistency once again, anchoring the chase with a fluent 80 off 49 deliveries. He seemed poised for a big finish before being bowled by Richard Gleeson, a key breakthrough that tilted the balance in MI’s favor.
Washington Sundar’s explosive 48 off just 24 balls briefly reignited hopes for GT, while Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with a quick 24. However, the required run rate proved too steep and GT ultimately ended their innings at 208 for 6, falling 20 runs short.
Beyond the action on the field, a tense moment at the toss drew widespread attention. A video clip showing GT skipper Shubman Gill seemingly ignoring a handshake from MI captain Hardik Pandya after the coin toss went viral. While it may have been a mere oversight, the moment sparked criticism online, with fans accusing Shubman Gill who also leads India in Test cricket of poor sportsmanship and there were some who said that Shubman Gill was being egoistic.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/Abhinav_hariom/status/1928650047412961401
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Shubman Gill has reacted to this viral video by posting a photo of himself with Hardik Pandya on his Instagram Stories with the caotion, “Nothing but love (Don’t believe everything you see on internet @hardikpandya93)”
Despite the off-field buzz, MI remained focused, executing their game plan with precision and composure. Their strong showing now sets the stage for a blockbuster second qualifier against Punjab Kings, with a spot in the IPL 2025 final on the line.
