Gujarat Titans (GT) beat Mumbai Indians (MI) by six runs in yesterday’s IPL 2024 game at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the much-hyped clash that marked Hardik Pandya’s return to MI as captain of the franchise, Mumbai won the toss and bowled first. Jasprit Bumrah was superb with figures of 3-14 as MI restricted GT to 168-6. A good all-round bowling effort from Gujarat Titans , though, restricted Mumbai Indians to 162-9.
Mumbai Indians could not finish the chase
MI got off to a poor start in their chase, with Ishan Kishan (0) nicked an away going delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai to the keeper. Naman Dhir (20 off 10) attacked Omarzai for three fours and a six in the third over. But the GT bowler had the last laugh, trapping the batter lbw with a length ball that seamed in sharply. Former captain Rohit Sharma (43 off 29) and Dewald Brevis (46 off 38) put Mumbai Indians in a solid position, adding 77 for the third wicket. The dismissal of Rohit, though, swung the momentum of the game. The seasoned batter was trapped lbw by Sai Kishore after missing a sweep. Brevis was the next to go, flat-batting a short ball from Mohit Sharma to the bowler. Tim David (11) fell to a brilliant catch from David Miller, top-edging a slower bouncer from Mohit. With 27 needed off the last two overs, Tilak Varma slammed Spencer Johnson for a six over long-on but fell off the next delivery, flicking the pacer to deep backward square leg. Gerald Coetzee (1) fell in the same over, miscuing a pull. MI needed 19 off the last over. New captain Pandya (11) slapped the first two balls from Umesh Yadav for six and four but fell to the third, sealing Mumbai’s fate.
Mumbai Indians bowlers bowled really well
Bumrah cleaned up GT opener Wriddhiman Saha (19) with a superb yorker from wide of the crease. New Gujarat captain Shubman (31 off 22) was then got out by Piyush Chawla, he was caught in the deep. Omarzai (17) and Miller (12) fell cheaply, but Sai Sudharsan yet again held the team’s innings together, scoring valuable 45 runs. He struck three fours and a six before flicking a full ball from Bumrah to deep backward square leg. Rahul Tewatia came and played very handy cameo again. He scored 22 of 15, this helped GT to go past 165.
Shubman Gill was brilliant as Leader in his first outing
Shubman Gill has really impressed everyone with his leadership skills in the first match as captain. He used his bowlers very effectively. He was really calm and composed in the field. His field position were on point. He was taking to bowlers, was giving them the field they asked for. Fans expect him to do well in the coming matches also.
Gujarat Titans will now face Chennai Super Kings on 26 March whereas Mumbai Indians will play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 27 March.
Kevin Varchand