The IPL 2025 clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 29 at the Narendra Modi Stadium was billed as a blockbuster, and it didn’t disappoint! With both teams desperate to bounce back from opening losses, GT harnessed home advantage to secure a commanding 36-run victory, leaving MI reeling with their second defeat in as many games.
First Innings: GT Set the Tone
GT, led by Shubman Gill, posted a competitive 196/8 in 20 overs. Sai Sudharsan’s steady 63 provided the backbone, while Jos Buttler’s aggressive 39 off 24 balls injected momentum. The black-soil pitch, tailored to GT’s strengths, offered variable bounce and grip, but the Titans’ batting depth shone through. Rutherfords’s late cameo of 18 pushed the total just out of reach, though MI’s bowlers—Hardik Pandya (2/29) and Boult (1/34)—kept things tight early on. However, MI’s fielding lapses, including 28 extras (wides, overthrows, and misfields), handed GT crucial runs.
The Chase: MI Falter Under Pressure
Chasing 197, MI needed a blazing powerplay, but GT’s pace attack had other plans. Mohammed Siraj (2/34) struck early, removing Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton, while Prasidh Krishna (2/18) suffocated the middle order with his disciplined lengths. Suryakumar Yadav (48) and Tilak Varma (39) offered resistance with a 62-run stand, but once Varma fell, the wheels came off. Hardik Pandya’s 11 runs in 17 balls as captain added salt to MI’s wounds, and despite SKY’s flair, they limped to 160/6. GT’s bowlers, backed by sharp fielding, never let MI find rhythm post-powerplay.
Key Moments
- Siraj’s Double Strike: Dismissing Rohit and Rickelton in quick succession set MI back early.
- Sai Sudharsan’s Cramp Scare: A hamstring worry saw him leave the field, but Gill later confirmed it was just cramps.
- MI’s Fielding Woes: 28 runs gifted via extras proved decisive in a 36-run loss.
- Prasidh Krishna’s Heroics: His 2/18 spell earned him Player of the Match honors, strangling MI’s chase.
What Worked for GT?
Gill’s tactical acumen shone through—opting for a black-soil pitch suited their pace-heavy attack, with Siraj, Krishna, and Kagiso Rabada exploiting conditions brilliantly. The batting, while not explosive, was smart and adaptable, setting a total MI couldn’t overhaul.
MI’s Struggles
MI’s batting lacked intent after the powerplay, managing just 155 and 160 in their first two games. Hardik Pandya’s captaincy is under scrutiny, with fans booing him again in Ahmedabad—a lingering echo of his GT-to-MI switch. The absence of an extra batter and poor fielding discipline compounded their woes.
The Verdict
GT’s 4-0 record against MI at this venue remains intact, and this win gives them momentum after a narrow loss to Punjab Kings. For MI, it’s back to the drawing board—two losses in two games signal early trouble for the five-time champions. The IPL scriptwriters are indeed awake, and Ahmedabad remains Pandya’s house of horrors!
Stay tuned for more IPL 2025 action as GT look to build on this, while MI aim to turn their season around on March 31 against Kolkata Knight Riders.
