MI vs GT IPL 2025 Eliminator: Mumbai Indians Triumph by 20 Runs in Mullanpur

On May 30, 2025, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, hosted a thrilling IPL 2025 Eliminator clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Gujarat Titans (GT). In a high-stakes battle for a spot in Qualifier 2, MI emerged victorious, defeating GT by 20 runs in a high-scoring encounter. Led by captain Hardik Pandya and propelled by Rohit Sharma’s masterful 81 off 50 balls, MI posted a daunting 228 for 5. Despite a valiant effort from GT’s Sai Sudharsan, MI’s bowlers held their nerve, securing their place against Punjab Kings in the next round. This match, a rollercoaster of momentum swings, showcased MI’s championship pedigree and ended GT’s spirited campaign.

Road to the Eliminator

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, entered the playoffs with momentum, having won 7 of their last 9 league matches. Finishing fourth with 8 wins, 6 losses, and 16 points in 14 games, MI relied on a galaxy of stars. Rohit Sharma led the batting charts for MI with 329 runs, though Suryakumar Yadav’s 640 runs stole the show. The absence of Ryan Rickelton, replaced by Jonny Bairstow, and Will Jacks, swapped for Richard Gleeson, tested their depth. Jasprit Bumrah, despite missing the first four games, delivered with 17 wickets at an economy of 6.33, a personal best. MI’s playoff experience—9 wins in 10 matches batting first since 2015—gave them confidence heading into Mullanpur.

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, wrapped up the league stage in third place with 18 points from 9 wins in 14 matches. Their top order—Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—powered them, with Sudharsan amassing 759 runs, the fifth-highest in IPL 2025. GT dominated MI in the league stage, winning both encounters, including a 36-run victory in Ahmedabad. However, the departure of Buttler and Kagiso Rabada for international duty, replaced by Kusal Mendis, and losses in their final two league games dented momentum. Prasidh Krishna’s 25 wickets and Rashid Khan’s struggles (9 wickets, economy 9.47) highlighted a mixed bowling campaign.

The Mullanpur pitch, a fresh strip with less grass than previous games, promised runs, with teams batting first winning 9 of 10 playoff matches in IPL history when posting 200-plus. A strategic timeout loomed large, with dew expected to aid the chasing side. MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat, banking on their 17-0 record defending 200-plus totals in the IPL. GT, without Buttler, leaned on Mendis and a strong bowling unit. The 90,000-capacity stadium buzzed with anticipation on May 30, 2025, at 7:30 PM local time, under clear skies and mild humidity.

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh pitch offered consistent bounce, favoring batters with short boundaries (61 and 67 meters square, 73 meters straight). Dew, a factor in the second innings, challenged bowlers’ grip, making yorkers and tight lines crucial. With no rain forecast, a full 20-over game was assured, setting the stage for a run-fest.

Mumbai Indians’ Innings: 228/5 in 20 Overs

MI’s innings ignited early, despite GT’s sloppy fielding. Rohit Sharma, dropped on 3 and 12 in the powerplay, capitalized with a blistering 81 off 50 balls, including 9 fours and 4 sixes. He and Jonny Bairstow, on MI debut, forged an 84-run stand in 44 balls, with Bairstow smashing 47 off 22 (3 fours, 4 sixes) before Sai Kishore dismissed him, caught by Sudharsan. GT’s fielding woes continued, dropping Suryakumar Yadav on 25; he added 33 off 20, lofting sixes over fine leg and point off Gerald Coetzee.

Tilak Varma (run-a-ball contribution) and Hardik Pandya turned the tide in the death overs. Pandya’s unbeaten 22 off 8, with three sixes off Prasidh Krishna in the 20th over, propelled MI to 228 for 5—the second-highest total in IPL playoff history. Sai Kishore shone for GT, taking 2 for 40, while Prasidh Krishna grabbed 2 wickets but leaked runs. GT’s dropped catches and 17 sixes conceded by their bowlers handed MI a formidable total.

Gujarat Titans’ Chase: 208/6 in 20 Overs

Chasing 229, GT lost captain Shubman Gill for 1, pinned lbw by Trent Boult in the first over. Sai Sudharsan and Kusal Mendis countered, racing to 66 for 1 in 6 overs at the strategic timeout, Sudharsan dazzling with 80 off 49 (eye-catching drives and lofts). A 50-run stand in 30 balls with Mendis (32) kept hopes alive, but MI struck back. Jasprit Bumrah’s unplayable yorker bowled Washington Sundar (40 off 24), breaking a key partnership at 205 for 5 after 19 overs.

Richard Gleeson, despite a hamstring scare, bowled bravely, conceding just 3 runs off the first three balls of the final over, leaving GT needing 21 off 3. He limped off, and Ashwani Kumar stepped in, dismissing Shahrukh Khan (13 off 7) and delivering dots to Rashid Khan. GT finished at 208 for 6, 20 runs short. Bumrah (1 for 19 in 3 overs) and Boult (2 for 56) led MI’s attack, with Ashwani Kumar’s cool finish sealing the win. Sudharsan’s 80 and Sundar’s 48 couldn’t overcome MI’s discipline and Hardik’s 20th-over onslaught.

Key Moments and Turning Points

• Dropped Catches Haunt GT: Rohit Sharma’s reprieves on 3 and 12 in the powerplay allowed MI to race to 79 for 1 after 6 overs.
• Rohit-Bairstow Blitz: An 84-run opening stand in 44 balls set a commanding tone for MI.
• Bumrah’s Yorker: Washington Sundar’s dismissal by a pinpoint yorker in the 16th over swung momentum, breaking GT’s fightback.
• Gleeson’s Brave Start: Needing 24 off the final over, Gleeson’s tight first three balls (3 runs) and Ashwani Kumar’s wicket of Shahrukh Khan ended GT’s hopes.
• Hardik’s Late Surge: Three sixes in the 20th over off Prasidh Krishna lifted MI from 206 to 228, a decisive margin.

Key Performers

• Rohit Sharma (MI): 81 off 50 (9×4, 4×6), a masterclass to earn Player of the Match, taking his IPL runs past 7,000.

• Jonny Bairstow (MI): 47 off 22, a fiery debut opening stand with Rohit.

• Suryakumar Yadav (MI): 33 off 20, capitalized on a drop to boost MI’s total.

• Hardik Pandya (MI): Unbeaten 22 off 8, with three sixes, turned a good score into a match-winning one.

• Jasprit Bumrah (MI): 1 for 19 in 3 overs, a game-changing yorker to Sundar.

• Sai Sudharsan (GT): 80 off 49, a superb knock in vain, cementing his 759-run season.

• Washington Sundar (GT): 48 off 24, kept GT alive with explosive hitting.

MI’s 228 for 5 was the second-highest total in IPL playoff history, part of a 436-run aggregate, the highest in a playoff match. Their 20-run win extended their stellar playoff record, winning 10 of 12 since 2015. GT’s loss ended a strong season, their 66.67% playoff win rate (2 of 3, excluding finals) not enough to repeat their 2023 Qualifier 2 triumph over MI. Rohit became the second Indian to cross 7,000 IPL runs, joining Virat Kohli, and hit his 300th IPL six. GT’s Sai Sudharsan finished with 759 runs, fifth on the all-time single-season list.

MI’s champion-stuff display propelled them to Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings on June 1, 2025, in Ahmedabad, one step from the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Hardik’s knockout mentality—treating recent games as do-or-die—paid off, with bowlers holding nerve despite dew. GT’s journey ended, stung by dropped catches and a late collapse, but their season—third place and two wins over MI—promised a stronger return. This Eliminator, a tale of luck, skill, and clutch moments, will be remembered as a classic.

The IPL 2025 Eliminator on May 30, 2025, at Mullanpur showcased Mumbai Indians’ resilience, defeating Gujarat Titans by 20 runs. Rohit Sharma’s 81, Hardik Pandya’s late blitz, and Jasprit Bumrah’s magic outshone Sai Sudharsan’s heroics. MI’s 228 for 5 proved just enough, with Gleeson and Ashwani Kumar sealing the deal in a tense finish. As MI march to Qualifier 2, GT reflect on a valiant campaign. This high-scoring thriller at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium underscored the IPL’s drama, cementing MI’s legacy as playoff giants.