In a gripping clash at the Wankhede Stadium, Gujarat Titans (GT) handed Mumbai Indians (MI) their first defeat in six matches of the ongoing IPL 2025, winning by three wickets off the final delivery in a rain-marred contest.
MI, batting first, managed 155/8, with the pitch proving to be tricky and the overcast conditions adding to the challenge. Following a rain interruption, the target was revised to 147 in 19 overs under the DLS method. GT, despite several hiccups and a slowing pitch, chased it down on the final ball.
Key Highlights:
- Fielding Woes:
Both sides were guilty of sloppy fielding, dropping four catches in total. Crucially, MI’s Tilak Varma dropped Shubman Gill on 35, who added 5 more before getting out — runs that turned out to be vital in the narrow finish. - No-Ball Blunders:
MI skipper Hardik Pandya pointed to no-balls as the real turning point, calling them a “crime” in close matches. Pandya himself bowled two no-balls in a single over that cost 18 runs, while Deepak Chahar, defending 15 in the final over, overstepped once, allowing GT some breathing room. - Pandya’s Post-Match Reflections: “The catches didn’t really cost us… Maybe definitely the no-balls… That, in my eyes, indeed it’s a crime,” said Pandya.
He admitted MI were 20–30 runs short, suggesting the pitch was worth 175+. Despite the loss, he praised his team’s fighting spirit and the bowlers’ efforts under pressure. - Weather’s Role:
The rain not only disrupted momentum but also made conditions difficult, especially with a wet ball in the second innings, complicating bowling and gripping.
With this win, Gujarat Titans have revived their campaign, while Mumbai Indians will need to regroup quickly. Both teams showed fight, but the edge went to GT — thanks to better composure in crunch moments.
