MI vs GT Highlights, IPL 2025 Eliminator: Mumbai Indians Triumph by 20 Runs, Advance to Qualifier 2.The IPL 2025 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on May 30, 2025, was a high-octane clash that saw Mumbai Indians (MI) outmuscle Gujarat Titans (GT) by 20 runs to secure a spot in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings.
The match, played under the searing Punjab heat, showcased MI’s championship pedigree as they overcame GT’s spirited challenge, ending the Titans’ campaign despite a valiant effort led by Sai Sudharsan’s 80 off 49 balls. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Toss and Team News
MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first, citing a fresher pitch with less grass cover compared to the previous day’s Qualifier 1, where Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101. Pandya’s decision was influenced by MI’s impeccable 17-0 record when defending totals above 200 in the IPL, a statistic that loomed large over the game.
Mumbai Indians Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Hardik Pandya (c), Raj Angad Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson.
Impact Subs: Krishnan Shrijith, Raghu Sharma, Robin Minz, Ashwani Kumar, Reece Topley.
Gujarat Titans Playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Gujarat Titans Playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Impact Subs: Sherfane Rutherford, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan.
MI made strategic changes, bringing in Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson for Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks, who were unavailable due to international commitments. Raj Angad Bawa replaced Deepak Chahar, who was nursing a hamstring injury. GT, missing Jos Buttler, debuted Kusal Mendis in the IPL and swapped Arshad Khan for Washington Sundar to bolster their batting depth.
Mumbai Indians’ Batting: A Fiery Start Sets the Tone
MI’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, culminating in a formidable 228/5—the second-highest total in IPL playoff history. The tone was set early by the new opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow, who exploited GT’s sloppy fielding to devastating effect.
Powerplay Dominance (Overs 1–6: 79/0)
Rohit Sharma, dropped twice in the first three overs by Kusal Mendis and Shahrukh Khan, made GT pay dearly. The ‘Hitman’ was in vintage form, blending elegance with brute force. Jonny Bairstow, on his MI debut, was equally destructive, hammering 26 runs off Prasidh Krishna’s second over, including three sixes. Their 84-run opening stand in just 6 overs set the platform, with MI racing to 79/0 by the end of the powerplay. Bairstow’s 44 off 20 balls featured five fours and three sixes, while Rohit’s 33 off 16 included four boundaries and a towering six off Rashid Khan.
Middle Overs: Consolidation with Aggression (Overs 7–15: 109/3)
GT clawed back briefly when Sai Kishore dismissed Bairstow in the 7th over, caught by Gerald Coetzee off a relay catch with Sai Sudharsan at deep midwicket. Suryakumar Yadav joined Rohit, and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking. Rohit reached his 47th IPL fifty in just 28 balls, smashing a six off Rashid Khan to mark his 300th IPL six and cross 7,000 runs in the tournament, becoming only the second batter after Virat Kohli to achieve the feat.
Suryakumar, in scintillating form with 640 runs in IPL 2025, played a sparkling 33 off 20 balls, including two sixes off Coetzee. However, Sai Kishore struck again, removing Suryakumar via a sweep shot caught at square leg. Tilak Varma (18 off 12) and Rohit continued the assault, but Prasidh Krishna’s 17th over turned the tide. Rohit, attempting to accelerate, was bowled for 81 off 50 balls (nine fours, four sixes), and Tilak fell soon after, caught off a mistimed lofted cover drive, leaving MI at 188/4.
GT clawed back briefly when Sai Kishore dismissed Bairstow in the 7th over, caught by Gerald Coetzee off a relay catch with Sai Sudharsan at deep midwicket. Suryakumar Yadav joined Rohit, and the duo kept the scoreboard ticking. Rohit reached his 47th IPL fifty in just 28 balls, smashing a six off Rashid Khan to mark his 300th IPL six and cross 7,000 runs in the tournament, becoming only the second batter after Virat Kohli to achieve the feat.
Suryakumar, in scintillating form with 640 runs in IPL 2025, played a sparkling 33 off 20 balls, including two sixes off Coetzee. However, Sai Kishore struck again, removing Suryakumar via a sweep shot caught at square leg. Tilak Varma (18 off 12) and Rohit continued the assault, but Prasidh Krishna’s 17th over turned the tide. Rohit, attempting to accelerate, was bowled for 81 off 50 balls (nine fours, four sixes), and Tilak fell soon after, caught off a mistimed lofted cover drive, leaving MI at 188/4.
Death Overs: Pandya’s Late Surge (Overs 16–20: 60/2)
Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir ensured MI didn’t lose momentum. Pandya’s 22 not out off 9 balls was a captain’s knock, featuring three sixes in the final over off Coetzee, who bled 21 runs. Naman Dhir’s quickfire 14 off 8 balls, including a six, helped MI post a daunting 228/5. Prasidh Krishna (2/45) and Sai Kishore (2/38) were GT’s best bowlers, but their fielding lapses—three dropped catches—proved costly.
Gujarat Titans’ Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 229, GT needed a blistering start, but MI’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, applied early pressure. Despite Sai Sudharsan’s heroic 80, GT finished at 208/6, falling 20 runs short.
Powerplay Struggles (Overs 1–6: 66/1)
Trent Boult struck a massive blow in the first over, trapping Shubman Gill lbw for 1. Gill’s review was futile, leaving GT at 3/1. Sai Sudharsan and Kusal Mendis responded aggressively, with Sudharsan hitting a six off Boult in the 3rd over and Mendis smashing two sixes in the 4th. By the end of the powerplay, GT were 66/1, with Sudharsan (34* off 18) and Mendis (22* off 16) keeping the required rate in check.
Middle Overs: Sudharsan’s Masterclass (Overs 7–15: 95/3)
The game’s defining moment came in the 8th over when Mendis, on 28, was bizarrely dismissed hit-wicket off Mitchell Santner, losing his balance while attempting a lofted cover drive. Washington Sundar joined Sudharsan, and the duo forged a 56-run partnership. Sudharsan reached his sixth fifty of the season in 28 balls, peppering boundaries and a scooped four off Richard Gleeson. Sundar’s 26 off 14, including a six and a four off Hardik Pandya, kept GT in the hunt.
However, Jasprit Bumrah’s return in the 14th over broke the partnership, with an unplayable yorker castling Sundar for 26. Sherfane Rutherford, introduced as an impact substitute, joined Sudharsan, but Richard Gleeson struck a crucial blow in the 15th over, dismissing Sudharsan for 80 off 49 balls (seven fours, three sixes). GT were 161/4, needing 68 off the last five overs.
Death Overs: MI’s Bowlers Seal the Deal (Overs 16–20: 47/2)
Rutherford (24 off 15) and Rahul Tewatia (16* off 8) kept GT’s hopes alive with aggressive strokeplay. Rutherford smashed a four off Gleeson, and Tewatia’s scooped six off Boult in the 19th over brought the equation to 24 off 6 balls. However, Boult’s precision accounted for Rutherford, caught at deep midwicket by Tilak Varma off a mistimed lofted shot.
The final over was dramatic. Richard Gleeson, battling a hamstring issue, bowled three tight deliveries, conceding just three runs. With 21 needed off three balls, Gleeson limped off, and Ashwani Kumar stepped in as a substitute. Kumar dismissed Shahrukh Khan (13 off 7), caught by Suryakumar Yadav at cover, and delivered two dot balls to Rashid Khan, including a reviewed lbw that was pitching outside leg. MI sealed a 20-run victory, with GT finishing at 208/6.
Key Performers:
Rohit Sharma (MI): Player of the Match for his 81 off 50 balls, setting up MI’s mammoth total.
Sai Sudharsan (GT): 80 off 49 balls, a lone warrior in GT’s chase.
Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 1/24 in 4 overs, including the crucial wicket of Washington Sundar.
Trent Boult (MI): 2/56, dismissing Gill and Rutherford at critical junctures.
Match Analysis
Mumbai Indians’ Triumph
MI’s victory was a testament to their playoff experience and ability to perform under pressure. Rohit Sharma’s 81, capitalizing on early reprieves, set the tone, while Bairstow’s explosive debut ensured GT’s bowlers were on the back foot.
The middle order, led by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, maintained the momentum, hitting 17 sixes—the joint third-most in an IPL innings in 2025. Bumrah and Boult’s death bowling, supported by Ashwani Kumar’s composure in the final over, ensured MI’s 17-0 record defending 200-plus totals remained intact.
Hardik Pandya’s leadership was pivotal. His decision to bat first on a flat pitch and strategic use of bowlers, particularly Bumrah in the middle overs, tilted the game in MI’s favor. Pandya’s own 22* off 9 balls underscored his ability to deliver in crunch moments.
Hardik Pandya’s leadership was pivotal. His decision to bat first on a flat pitch and strategic use of bowlers, particularly Bumrah in the middle overs, tilted the game in MI’s favor. Pandya’s own 22* off 9 balls underscored his ability to deliver in crunch moments.
Gujarat Titans’ Heartbreak
GT’s campaign ended despite a stellar season, where they finished third with 9 wins. Sai Sudharsan’s 759 runs in IPL 2025 made him the tournament’s leading run-scorer, but the lack of support from the middle order and early loss of Shubman Gill proved decisive. Dropped catches—Rohit twice and Suryakumar once—cost GT dearly, as MI’s batsmen capitalized to post an imposing total.
GT’s bowling, usually a strength, faltered under MI’s onslaught. Prasidh Krishna (25 wickets in IPL 2025) and Sai Kishore fought back, but Rashid Khan’s off-day (0/40) and Coetzee’s expensive 21-run final over hurt their chances. The absence of Jos Buttler exposed GT’s middle-order fragility, with Kusal Mendis’ hit-wicket dismissal adding to their woes.
GT’s campaign ended despite a stellar season, where they finished third with 9 wins. Sai Sudharsan’s 759 runs in IPL 2025 made him the tournament’s leading run-scorer, but the lack of support from the middle order and early loss of Shubman Gill proved decisive. Dropped catches—Rohit twice and Suryakumar once—cost GT dearly, as MI’s batsmen capitalized to post an imposing total.
GT’s bowling, usually a strength, faltered under MI’s onslaught. Prasidh Krishna (25 wickets in IPL 2025) and Sai Kishore fought back, but Rashid Khan’s off-day (0/40) and Coetzee’s expensive 21-run final over hurt their chances. The absence of Jos Buttler exposed GT’s middle-order fragility, with Kusal Mendis’ hit-wicket dismissal adding to their woes.
Pitch and Conditions
The Mullanpur pitch, with square boundaries of 62 and 65 meters and a straight boundary of 73 meters, favored batsmen but offered some assistance to bowlers in the second innings, as seen in Qualifier 1. The dry heat, with temperatures dipping to the low 20s by evening, tested players’ endurance, but clear skies ensured no rain interruptions, despite earlier concerns.
Post-Match Reactions
Rohit Sharma (Player of the Match): “I’ve got only four fifties; I’d have loved to get more. Today, after the luck went my way, I knew I had to make the most of it. It was a complete team performance, and we understand the importance of playing the Eliminator.”
Hardik Pandya (MI Captain): “The wicket got better in the second innings, but we kept the pressure on. Jassi [Bumrah] coming in and bowling that over was crucial. We’ve been playing every game like a knockout, and this was no different.”
Shubman Gill (GT Captain): “We had a great season, but losing momentum in the last two league games hurt us. Sai played brilliantly, but we couldn’t capitalize. Those dropped catches were costly, but we’ll learn and come back stronger.”
Rohit Sharma (Player of the Match): “I’ve got only four fifties; I’d have loved to get more. Today, after the luck went my way, I knew I had to make the most of it. It was a complete team performance, and we understand the importance of playing the Eliminator.”
Hardik Pandya (MI Captain): “The wicket got better in the second innings, but we kept the pressure on. Jassi [Bumrah] coming in and bowling that over was crucial. We’ve been playing every game like a knockout, and this was no different.”
Shubman Gill (GT Captain): “We had a great season, but losing momentum in the last two league games hurt us. Sai played brilliantly, but we couldn’t capitalize. Those dropped catches were costly, but we’ll learn and come back stronger.”
Key Moments
Rohit’s Dropped Catches: Two reprieves in the first three overs allowed Rohit to score 81, shifting the game’s momentum.
Bairstow’s Explosive Debut: His 47 off 22 balls set a blistering pace, dismantling GT’s bowling plans.
Gill’s Early Dismissal: Boult’s lbw wicket in the first over put GT on the back foot.
Sudharsan’s Heroics: His 80 off 49 kept GT in the chase, but lack of support undid his efforts.
Bumrah’s Yorker: Dismissing Washington Sundar in the 14th over broke GT’s momentum.
Gleeson’s Injury and Ashwani’s Finish: Kumar’s composure in the final three balls sealed MI’s victory.
Stats That Defined the Game
MI’s Total: 228/5 was the second-highest in IPL playoff history, with a match aggregate of 436 runs, the highest in any IPL playoff.
Sai Sudharsan’s Season: His 759 runs in IPL 2025 placed him fifth among the highest run-scorers in a single IPL edition.
MI’s Playoff Record: MI improved to 10 wins in 12 playoff matches since 2015, with a 9-1 record when batting first.
GT’s Head-to-Head Edge: Despite their 5-2 record over MI, GT couldn’t extend their four-match winning streak against MI.
What’s Next?
Mumbai Indians advance to Qualifier 2, where they face Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on June 1, 2025, for a shot at the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on June 3. GT, despite their elimination, showed resilience and will look to regroup for IPL 2026, with Sai Sudharsan’s form a major positive.
The Eliminator was a classic IPL knockout, blending individual brilliance, tactical nous, and high drama. MI’s experience and depth prevailed, but GT’s fight ensured the match went down to the wire, cementing IPL 2025 as a season of unforgettable moments.
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