Gujarat Titans inched closer to a playoff spot with a rain-affected 3-run win over Mumbai Indians via the DLS method in their IPL 2025 clash at the Wankhede Stadium on May 7. Despite two rain interruptions in Mumbai and a spirited bowling effort from Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, GT managed to chase down the DLS-adjusted 15 runs in the final over, ending MI’s six-match winning streak.
It was far from a convincing performance with the bat for MI, as the usually batter-friendly Wankhede surface posed unexpected challenges. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton were both dismissed cheaply, and the middle-order failed to capitalise. However, a 71-run stand between Will Jacks and Suryakumar Yadav brought some stability. Their counterattacking approach on a sluggish pitch helped MI post 156 — a total that looked out of reach at one point.
IPL 2025. MI vs GT: Highlights
Gujarat’s response started on a shaky note with Trent Boult dismissing the in-form Sai Sudharsan for just 5 in the second over. As drizzle began to set in, the pressure mounted, but skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler steadied the innings with calculated, risk-free batting. Their intent was clear — keep GT ahead of the DLS par score as rain loomed. They succeeded temporarily, moving their side above the DLS line before Buttler was dismissed by MI’s concussion sub Ashwani Kumar.
After Jasprit Bumrah dismissed GT skipper Shubman Gill following the first rain break, Gujarat’s chase began to unravel as the middle order faltered. However, another rain interruption shifted the momentum again, and in the final over, Rahul Tewatia and Gerald Coetzee emphatically chased down the DLS-adjusted 15 runs off Deepak Chahar to seal a dramatic win.
Calm and Calculated: Gill and Buttler lack support
Following Sudharsan’s early dismissal, Gill and Buttler held fort with patience. As rain loomed, both batters focused on playing within themselves to stay in touch with the DLS par. Umpires Kaushik Gandhi and Saidharshan Kumar ensured minimal delays despite light showers, and the GT duo took advantage.
A pivotal moment came when Deepak Chahar leaked 11 runs in the 7th over, bringing GT closer to par. Then came Hardik’s expensive 8th over, handing GT the lead in the DLS race. Gill and Buttler’s awareness under pressure showed remarkable clarity, but the rest of the lineup failed to capitalise from the get go. The loss exposed a recurring issue for Gujarat Titans—their over-reliance on the top three. Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal for 5 marked only his second single-digit score of the season. With Gill and Buttler managing 43 and 30 respectively, the expectation was for the middle order to carry the chase forward.
However, apart from Rutherford, none of the others showed composure, proving that beyond their top-order stars, GT lacked a reliable safety net.
Needing just 49 off 36 balls at one stage, GT seemed to have the chase under control, but the dismissals of Gill and Rutherford derailed the innings. Veterans like Rashid Khan failed to offer resistance, and the side collapsed without a fight. It was only due to Rahul Tewatia’s resilience and some lusty blows from Gerald Coetzee that they staged a final over win for GT.
Boult and Bumrah broke GT’s backbone
Gujarat’s chase also started on the back foot with Trent Boult removing in-form Sai Sudharsan in the second over. As drizzle started setting in, Shubman Gill and Buttler focused on rebuilding, pacing their innings smartly. GT were behind the DLS par score at the end of the 6th over (29/1 vs par 40), but started closing the gap through controlled batting.
The momentum tilted dramatically in the 8th over when Hardik Pandya bowled a chaotic 11-ball over, conceding 18 runs thanks to three wides and two no-balls. That over pushed GT five runs ahead of the par score, giving them temporary control.
But Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance after the first rain halt turned the tide again. He first dismissed GT skipper Shubman Gill for 43, and then Boult returned to remove Sherfane Rutherford for 28. Although the match went on to go in GT’s favour due to the rain effect, MI will take a big confidence from both their star pacers being in top form running into the competitive end of the season.
