Mullanpur: The mighty Mumbai Indians handled the nerves better on the big stage to outlast Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in a high-scoring IPL Eliminator despite a classy effort from Sai Sudharsan here on Friday.
Here are some key moments from the game:
1. Rohit-Bairstow partnership
Sharing an 84-run stand for the first wicket, Jonny Bairstow (47, 22) and Rohit Sharma (81 off 50) made instant impact to take Mumbai Indians to 228 in 20 overs.
At a strike rate of 213.63, Bairstow unleashed his hitting might with 3 sixes and four boundaries before walking back for three-run of fifty.
Mumbai Indians' Rohit Sharma (L) and Jonny Bairstow bump their fists during the IPL Eliminator match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. (Photo by Shammi MEHRA / AFP)
On the other hand, Rohit riding on luck, dispatched the ball in all corners once settled to steal his 21 Player of The Match (POTM) award. Rohit was dropped twice in the powerplay before veteran made the opposition pay dearly for their on-field errors.
2. Consistent Surya
Suryakumar Yadav maintained his streak of 25+ scores in the Indian Premier League, with his 33 off 20 that included three sixes and 1 boundary.
Scoring 25 runs or more for the 15th time back-to-back for Mumbai, he has been the backbone of the champion team's batting order. His feat is the highest for any batter in any T20 tournament across the world.
3. Sai Sudharsan's Sublime dominance
Chasing a mammoth total of 228, Titans, ended up at 208-6 to exit the tournament, however even as wickets kept falling at one end - runs were flowing from another, all thanks to Sai Sudharsan.
Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudharsan reacts during the IPL 2025 Eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, in New Chandigarh. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary
Despite heavy dew, overcoming a such a steep target in a knock-out game needed a special effort which came from Sudharsan who put his team on course for an improbable chase until his dismissal in the 16th over.
GT were able to take the game down to the wire with sensational batting from Sudharsan, who scored a gritty 80 off 49. His knock included 10 boundaries and a six. The 23-year-old batter also is the top contender for the Orange Cap with 759 runs this season.
4. Bumrah's Yorker to Sundar
When the Titans were looking to strong in the chase with Sudharsan and Washington Sundar building a key partnership, Bumrah was handed over the ball who wasted no-time to deliver magic.
Gujarat Titans' Washington Sundar gets clean bowled during the IPL 2025 Eliminator match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans, in New Chandigarh. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
Bumrah removed Washington Sundar (48 off 24) with his trademark yorker before Sudharsan missed scoop against Richard Gleeson to see his stumps dislodged, bringing Mumbai Indians back into the game.