Nobody could have guessed the plot when the Mumbai Indians needed to win by 48 runs from 36 balls with seven wickets left. The visitors had an opportunity to make history by winning a season opener for the first time since 2012 in addition to seeking to become the first Indian Premier League (IPL) team to upset the Gujarat Titans.
In the last overs, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Hardik Pandya, gave it everything they had to stop Mumbai from scoring more runs, but they were unable to do so. Unfortunately, Umesh Yadav’s lack of zeal cost Gujarat’s stunning victory at Narendra Modi Stadium in Dafabet Login, as Yadav was unable to complete an unbelievable comeback against his former side.
In the last overs, Mumbai Betway looked to be winning as the Gujarat attack bowled some tight overs. Rashid Khan gave up just three singles in the seventeenth over. Mohit Sharma lost a wicket and nine runs in the eighteenth over of the game. Just eight runs and two wickets were conceded by newcomer Spencer Johnson in the penultimate over of the match. Despite the bowlers’ heroic efforts, Mumbai needed to chase 19 runs in the last over.
The visitors were somewhat encouraged when Hardik, who made waves by starting the match at No. 7 for Mumbai instead of his top-order spot at GT the previous two seasons, belted a six over extra cover and then a boundary on the first ball of the last over. Ashish Nehra returned to his seat feeling satisfied as Sachin Tendulkar, wearing a passionate expression, commended the effort. MI needed to score four balls remaining to score nine runs.
When Hardik failed to clear the boundary with the third ball of the over, Rahul Tewatia had an easy chance to catch at long-on as Umesh showed his ability to bowl short and fast.
Skilled Indian fast bowler Piyush Chawla hit Rashid Khan with a short ball that dropped to him at deep mid-wicket. Straight and level, that is.
In the dugout, Sachin remained silent and uncomfortable as Rummy Glee returned to the sidelines and GT suddenly returned to the game after taking two wickets in rapid succession.
In the last two deliveries, MI could not muster any resistance, losing one wicket each while leaving their lower order exposed. Gujarat won comfortably at home by six runs.