In a closely fought high-intensity match with swinging fortunes and two rain intervals, Mumbai Indians struggled against a gamut of resistance but eventually fell to Gujarat Titans, who overran a reduced target of 147 in 19 overs to win by three wickets using the DLS system at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
The match extended into the early hours of the morning, and play was resumed after the second rain interruption at about 12:25 AM with Gujarat requiring 15 runs from six deliveries. Rahul Tewatia pushed Deepak Chahar for four, and Gerald Coetzee smashed a six. Chahar's following no-ball allowed them to steal a double, and Tewatia pushed in a single. With the scores tied, Chahar dismissed Coetzee, and despite a dramatic run-out attempt, Gujarat Titans sealed the victory on the last delivery, climbing to the top of the points table while ending Mumbai’s six-match winning streak.
The Gujarat Titans began well with their bowlers, and halfway through, they were looking like winners. Mumbai Indians came back in style due to a wonderful spell by Jasprit Bumrah, who removed the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill and Shahrukh Khan. Trent Boult and Ashwani Kumar also took crucial breakthroughs, which helped Mumbai pile pressure.
While Gujarat Titans started well, Mumbai Indians may register some early success. Suryakumar Yadav (35 off 24 balls) and Will Jacks (53 off 35 balls) put on a good 71-run partnership for the third wicket and took Mumbai to 56/2 at power-play. But Gujarat's spin duo, Sai Kishore (2-34) and Rashid Khan (1-21), bowled tightly, taking five wickets for 26 runs, to leave Mumbai Indians at 155/8 from their 20 overs. Three catches were also dropped by Gujarat in the opening overs of Mumbai.
While pursuing a modest target of 156, Gujarat Titans were slow off the blocks early, standing at 29/1 in the power-play having lost Sai Sudharsan for 5. Trent Boult was the one to shackle-breaking, leaving Sudharsan behind the keeper. Owing to the drizzle, the Gujarat captain Gill stabilized the ship, Jos Buttler (30) adding as well in a hard-knocks innings.
Mumbai Indians were ruling the roost when Ashwini Kumar, concussion replacement for Corbin Bosch, put an ominous stand in jeopardy by sending Buttler out. Two substantial overs, however, one of Hardik Pandya, who gave away two no-balls and three wides, and another of Will Jacks, wherein Sherfane Rutherford pulverized 15 runs, reversed the game to Gujarat's fortunes.
Following the rain break, Gujarat Titans were in front on the DLS par score, but Bumrah's fireworks gave Mumbai some hope. The pacer dismissed Gill with a nice delivery, and Boult followed up by dismissing Rutherford, leaving Gujarat at 123/5 and 43 runs remaining to be scored.
Gujarat's hopes once again were dashed as Ashwani Kumar yorked Rashid Khan lbw, leaving Gujarat at 126/6. Rain poured once again, and upon resumption, Gujarat were short by 24 runs with 12 remaining balls. In a thrilling twist of fate, Gujarat Titans won the match in the final ball itself, securing a hard-won victory.
Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians: 155/8 in 20 overs (Will Jacks 53, Suryakumar Yadav 35; Sai Kishore 2-34, Rashid Khan 1-21)
Gujarat Titans: 147/7 in 19 overs (Shubman Gill 43, Jos Buttler 30; Jasprit Bumrah 2-19, Trent Boult 2-22, Ashwani Kumar 2-28
Gujarat Titans won by three wickets as per DLS method.
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