Mumbai Indians once again proved why they are one of the most formidable teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), clinching a heart-stopping 20-run victory over Gujarat Titans in a record-breaking Eliminator clash at Mullanpur. With a combined total of 436 runs—the highest ever in IPL playoff history—this match was a spectacle of power-hitting and nerve-wracking finishes. As MI marched into Qualifier 2, captain Hardik Pandya stole the post-match show with his leadership insights and a hilarious analogy about pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
The Mullanpur showdown was a rollercoaster. At one stage, the game was evenly poised, with Gujarat Titans finding rhythm on a pitch that seemed to favor batsmen in the second innings. Pandya admitted, ‘The wicket got better, they got into a groove, and we had to hold our nerves. We backed our boys, and that made the difference.’ Mumbai’s batting firepower came through with Jonny Bairstow delivering a blistering debut knock—smashing his way to a quickfire 60 off 35 balls—and Rohit Sharma anchoring the innings with a composed yet destructive 81 off 54 balls, including 7 fours and 4 sixes. ‘Jonny’s debut for us was special. The way he started was incredible, and Ro took his time to build a beautiful innings,’ Pandya praised.
While the batsmen set the tone, it was MI’s bowling attack that sealed the deal in the crunch moments. Richard Gleeson, despite battling injury, bowled a heroic final over, while Jasprit Bumrah’s clinical spell of 3/25 in 4 overs turned the tide. Pandya’s strategy to deploy Bumrah when the game seemed to be slipping away paid off handsomely. With a sly grin, he quipped, ‘Whenever the game is going away, just bring Jassi. Having him is a luxury. His value? It’s like Mumbai housing prices—sky-high and untouchable!’ The analogy had everyone in splits, underlining Bumrah’s irreplaceable worth to the five-time IPL champions.
The final overs were a test of composure, and Pandya revealed his game plan. ‘I was watching the scoreboard, thinking if we could save extra runs at the end, I had the bowlers to defend it. Getting Jassi to bowl the 18th over was key to stretching the margin.’ Contributions from other bowlers like Ashwani Kumar, who picked up crucial middle-order wickets, ensured MI stayed in control. Pandya also hinted at wanting ‘a couple more big hits’ from the batsmen but was pleased with how they pushed the scoring rate when it mattered most.
With this win, Mumbai Indians have set up a blockbuster Qualifier 2 clash against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on June 1, 2025. The victor will earn a shot at glory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 Final. As MI gear up for the next challenge, Pandya emphasized recovery and focus, stating, ‘It’s very important to recover well. We’re looking forward to the next game with the same intensity.’ Can Mumbai’s blend of experience, youth, and Bumrah’s golden arm take them to yet another IPL title? The road to the final just got more exciting!