Gujarat Titans Edge Mumbai Indians in Dramatic Last-Ball Thriller at Wankhede
In a heart-stopping encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, the Gujarat Titans (GT) pulled off a sensational three-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians (MI) on the final ball of a rain-interrupted match in the IPL 2025 season. The rollercoaster clash, marked by two rain breaks and fluctuating fortunes, saw GT climb to the top of the league standings with a performance that kept fans glued to their seats until the very last delivery.
The Titans, chasing a modest target of 156, faced early setbacks but were steered by a gritty 72-run partnership between captain Shubman Gill (43 off 38 balls) and Jos Buttler (30 off 25 balls). However, the game swung dramatically with the intervention of MI’s bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, whose fiery spell of 2/19 threatened to derail GT’s chase. Amidst tense moments and mounting pressure, it was Rahul Tewatia and Arshad Khan who emerged as the unlikely heroes, scripting a memorable finish in front of a roaring crowd.
A Rocky Start and Rain Interruptions
After GT captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to field, their bowlers restricted MI to 155/8 in 20 overs—a score considered below par on a typically batter-friendly Wankhede pitch. Despite early fielding lapses, including three dropped catches in the powerplay, GT’s spinners Rashid Khan (1/21) and R Sai Kishore (2/34) turned the tide, squeezing MI from a strong 97/2 to a precarious 113/6 during the middle overs. MI’s Will Jacks, benefiting from two reprieves, scored a well-made half-century—his first of IPL 2025—while Corbin Bosch’s late cameo of 27 off 22 balls pushed MI past 150.
Chasing 156, GT stumbled early as MI’s Trent Boult (2/19) dismissed opener Sai Sudharsan cheaply. The Gill-Buttler stand provided stability, but rain intervened for the first time, halting GT’s momentum. Post-resumption, MI’s bowlers struck hard—Bumrah’s unplayable deliveries accounted for Gill and Shahrukh Khan, while concussion substitute Ashwani Kumar (2/22) and Boult chipped away at the middle order, removing Buttler and Sherfane Rutherford (a quickfire 14 off 10 balls).
Final Over Drama and a Heroic Finish
A second rain interruption reduced the contest to 19 overs per side, leaving GT needing 15 runs in the final over. Deepak Chahar, entrusted with defending the total, faced immense pressure as Rahul Tewatia smashed a boundary off the first ball. The drama peaked when Gerald Coetzee struck a massive six off a no-ball, followed by a leveled score on the free hit. Despite Chahar dismissing Coetzee, Arshad Khan held his nerve, sneaking a quick single off the last ball to seal a historic win for GT—a moment that will be etched in IPL folklore.
For MI, despite valiant efforts from Bumrah, Boult, and Kumar, the inability to capitalize on early chances and accelerate in the death overs cost them dearly. Suryakumar Yadav, dropped once, contributed to a crucial 71-run stand with Jacks, but their dismissals in quick succession handed GT the upper hand. MI’s total of 155, while competitive, lacked the cushion needed against a determined GT batting unit.
This thrilling encounter underscored GT’s resilience and ability to fight under pressure, while MI will rue missed opportunities in both batting and fielding. As the IPL 2025 season heats up, Gujarat Titans have sent a strong message to their rivals, claiming pole position in the points table with this hard-fought victory. The question remains—can they sustain this momentum, and will Mumbai Indians bounce back from this gut-wrenching loss?