IPL 2024, GT vs MI: Gujarat bowlers hold their nerves to seal the deal in home game

IPL 2024, GT vs MI: Gujarat Titans bowlers hold their nerves to seal the deal in home game against Mumbai Indians. Top key takeaways from GT vs MI, game.

IPL 2024, GT vs MI: Gujarat Titans beat Mumbai Indians (Images: ©IPL/X)

The highly anticipated IPL 2024 clash between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians saw Shubman Gill face off against his former captain Hardik Pandya, with GT holding a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head encounters.

MI skipper Hardik Pandya chose to bowl first, delaying Jasprit Bumrah's entry until the 4th over, a departure from the norm. Despite GT's brisk start, scoring 47 runs in the powerplay with the loss of Saha's wicket, they were restricted to 168/6. Thanks to disciplined death bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and debutant Gerald Coetzee, conceding only 14 runs in the last two overs. MI struggled initially, losing Ishan Kishan in the first over, but Naman Dhir's quick cameo of 20 off 10 balls provided some stability before he fell to Omarzai. Despite Rohit Sharma's efforts and a 77-run partnership with Brevis, MI fell short by 6 runs in their chase, handing GT their first victory at home.

Read More: IPL 2024: Gill, Pandya, Cummins set to lead IPL franchises - What's in store for their teams?

Brief Scores: GT 168/6 (Sudarshan 45, Gill 31, Bumrah 3/14) beat MI 162/9 (Brevis 46, Rohit 43, Mohit Sharma 2/32) by 6 runs.

Key Takeaways and Talking Points from GT vs MI, Match 5, IPL 2024

Mumbai Indians' diverse bowling attack stifles Gujarat Titans' run rate

MI has one of the best scouting groups and the same is reflected in the team’s varied bowling lineup. Especially in a T20 format where the team has as many as 6-7 bowling options to use, the skipper has the luxury to rotate effectively. MI had a good-looking bowling unit in the previous seasons. However, the availability of more options for both spin and pace departments has added more depth and power to their bowling this season. 

Pandya used his bowling resources in the arsenal up to maximum optimization. This didn’t allow GT to flourish on a track that produces 190-200 runs on an average. He rotated his bowlers well and the bowlers reinstated his faith, picking up regular wickets. The pick of the bowlers for MI was the veteran Jasprit Bumrah who claimed 3 wickets giving away only 14 runs in 4 overs. Debutant Gerald Coetzee who ended with figures of 2/27 in 4 overs was equally impressive. In the last 5 overs, Gujarat could only muster 44 runs losing 3 wickets. GT were 20-30 runs short on a batting track with dew coming later on to help the chasing team.

Read More: Hardik Pandya, the new MI skipper: What the future holds for Mumbai

Jasprit Bumrah took 3-14 against Gujarat Titans (Images: ©IPL/X)

GT's masterful bowling in crucial overs seals victory against MI

GT started their bowling well, claiming the wickets of Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir within the powerplay. But Mumbai kept scoring at a brisk rate to keep the scoreboard ticking and recovered well from the initial stutter. GT’s bowling wasn’t up to the mark in the first half of the game as they couldn’t capitalize after early breakthroughs.

MI looked pretty comfortable in the chase with Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis putting up a 77-run stand. But as soon as MI lost the wicket of Rohit, things started to look slim. The batters who followed Rohit couldn’t keep up with the scoring rate. The spin overs by R. Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan kept things tight for MI as they gave away only 47 runs in 8 overs. 

With 43 runs required in the last 5 overs with 7 wickets in hand, it was an achievable feat for MI. Under harsh circumstances for the bowlers with dew setting on the field, all odds were stacked against GT. The 18th over bowled by Mohit Sharma where he claimed the prized wicket of Tim David started shifting the momentum in favour of GT. 

With pressure piling on MI, the twin strikes in the 19th over by Spencer Johnson made life further difficult. With Hardik Pandya coming down the order and still present at the striker’s end with 19 runs required off the final over, MI were optimistic about the final over flourish.

Umesh Yadav, after being hit for 10 runs in the first two balls, kept his nerves calm and claimed the last hope in form of Pandya to quash MI’s winning hopes. He defended 19 runs in the final over and sealed the deal to grab the first win of the tournament for the home team.

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