IPL: Mumbai Indians fall short by just six runs in Gujarat match

One doesn’t often see Rashid Khan thumped by a batsman in a T20 game, but on Sunday, in the Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans match, Deward Brevis did the unthinkable and smashed Rashid out of the park.

In doing so, he showed how confident he was while facing arguably the most dangerous T20 bowler in the world.

Shubman Gill meanwhile, in his first game as Gujarat Titans captain, was thrilled by how his bowlers pulled their heist against Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians needed only 48 runs off the last six overs with seven wickets in hand but they fell six runs short.

Rashid didn’t take a wicket but went for only 23 in his four overs and it was towards the end of his spell that Mumbai began to flounder.

ESPNcricinfo reported that Rashid’s final over did indeed play out as unexpected.

Tim David lofted Rashid towards the deep midwicket boundary.

He and Tilak Varma could have run two if they pushed hard, but they settled for a single to bring the left-handed Tilak on strike.

Tilak then hit the next ball to deep midwicket but refused the single. Mumbai at this stage needed 38 off 21 balls and the pressure only increased after Rashid conceded only three runs in the 17th over.

Hardik’s response when he was asked if there had been a plan to keep David away from Rashid was ”not really”.

He went on to say: “I think Tilak felt that was a better idea at that point of time. I completely back him, not an issue, 13 games to go.”

Mohit Sharma, who was the second highest wicket-taker last season but had only played three competitive matches since then, followed up by dismissing David in the 18th over to return figures of 2 for 32.

However, Indian media are having a field day over Hardik’s return to Mumbai Indians, which they say started on a sour note.

The all-rounder rejoined MI last year before the auction in a sensational transfer, and also replaced Rohit Sharma as captain.

In 2022, Hardik was released by MI and picked up by Gujarat Titans, who immediately appointed him as captain.

He led GT to the title in their debut season, followed by a runners-up finish. So, as the Hindustan Times has stated, it was shocking for fans when he decided to rejoin MI as he was expected to be a long-term skipper for GT.

But Hardik’s return started off on a poor note after MI crashed to their six-run defeat.

There was also plenty of pre-match drama which got the fans worked up.

During the first innings, there was a moment which caught everyone’s attention. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik were caught up in an animated discussion, and just as Rohit arrived to join it, Hardik simply walked away.

In response, Bumrah could be seen taken aback by Hardik’s decision to just walk away.

This has led to fans questioning whether there is a divide in the team.

In the other match of the day, captain Sanju Samson’s powerful knock of 82*(52) coupled with some brilliant Powerplay and slog-overs bowling, helped Rajasthan Royals get off to a winning start as they beat Lucknow Super Giants by 20 runs.

Today, Monday March 25, Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Punjab Super Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Anticipation is running high among fans as the star-studded Bengaluru side, perennial contenders for the trophy, seek redemption after a shaky start to the season.
Their opening encounter against defending champions Chennai ended in defeat, intensifying the pressure as they gear up to face Punjab on Monday.

Fans across the country can tune in to Ariana Television from 6.30pm to watch this match live. Fans can also stream the match live on Ariana Television’s website.

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