Openers, Bumrah star in MI's clinical win to eliminate GT

The MI openers made a massive impact at the start. © BCCI
In a high-scoring contest, Sai Sudharsan's 80 went in vain as Gujarat Titans were eliminated following a 20-run loss to Mumbai Indians. Rohit Sharma's 81 was the highlight of MI's 228 after opting to bat but while the Titans mounted a stiff challenge, it all did not come together fully.

What made the difference?

Jasprit Bumrah. On a day where a total of 436 runs were scored across the match, Bumrah finished with figures of 4-0-27-1 and was the most economical bowler on view. But more than just the figures, Bumrah's overs were instrumental in changing the momentum of the game. When Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar put on a partnership scoring at nearly 12 an over, Bumrah came in for his third over and knocked over the latter. The knock-on effect of that over meant that the pressure kept building on the Titans whose run-rate plummeted to below 10 from the time Bumrah came back into the attack. In his final over, despite conceding a six, he gave away only eight in total and proved to be a key difference between the two sides.

MUMBAI INDIANS

Powerplay - Rohit, Bairstow fire MI ahead

Phase Score: 79/0 (RR: 13.17; 4s/6s: 9/4)

Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow powered Mumbai Indians to their highest-total inside the powerplay this season. The former was helped along the way being dropped twice on 3 and 12. But it was his partner who got going first laying into Prasidh Krishna after a watchful start. The fourth over of the innings saw Bairstow single-handedly pick apart Krishna hitting him for 26 runs. He pulled, sliced and drove for three sixes and two fours that set the cat amongst the pigeons. Rohit got going after a comparatively sedate start with big sweeps of R Sai Kishore who was brought in for the last over of the powerplay. With three sweeps of differing variety, Rohit picked up three boundaries that left MI cheerful after opting to bat.

Middle Overs - Rohit continues the good work

Phase Score: 81/2 (RR: 9; 4s/6s: 5/5)

Bairstow missed his half-century courtesy a spectacular relay catch at point heralded by Sai Sudharsan. Falling for 47 in the eighth over, Bairstow had helped set up a good base already. Rohit, who crossed 7000 IPL runs, got to his fifty off 27 balls and kept them going in the company of Suryakumar Yadav. He also helped take down the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore in the middle overs adding further pressure on the Titans. Yadav took it upon himself to attack Gerald Coetzee at the other end but was fortunate to be dropped by Kusal Mendis - his second drop of the night - after hitting him for back-to-back sixes. But his cameo did not last long with Sai Kishore striking off the last ball of his spell, getting Yadav caught in the deep off the slog-sweep. That wicket allowed the spinners to sneak in a couple of quite overs before Tilak Varma got going alongside Sharma.

Death Overs - Powerful finish takes MI to 228

Phase Score: 68/3 (RR: 13.6; 4s/6s: 1/7 )

A 22-run final over, powered by three sixes from Hardik Pandya gave Mumbai Indians the finish that they had hoped for. They had stuttered in between as Tilak Varma and Rohit both fell in the space of four balls. It raised GT's hopes of restricting MI before the final cameo from Pandya gave them another fillip. For the Titans only Rashid Khan escaped much punishment giving away only 31 in his four overs.

GUJARAT TITANS

Powerplay - Sudharsan mounts GT's challenge

Phase Score: 66/1 (RR: 11.0; 4s/6s: 7/3)

In the first over of the chase, Shubman Gill was trapped plumb in front by a big inswinger from Trent Boult. That early setback extended Gujarat Titans' period of gloom. Mumbai, on the other hand, were cock-a-hoop after carrying their momentum into the defense as well. But against the run of play, but in order with what's happened in the series by and large, the Titans found that Sai Sudharsan would come to their rescue. He started the counterpunches with a six off Boult which was complemented by Kusal Mendis who picked up two himself. Sudharsan picked up two boundaries piece of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah to keep throwing some punches back. Together the duo put on a 64-run stand that raised GT's hopes significantly.

Middle Overs - Sudharsan and Washington keep GT in the hunt

Phase Score: 95/2 (RR: 10.55; 4s/6s: 10/3)

An 84-run stand for the third wicket helped the Titans keep at it through the middle overs. With Kusal Mendis out hit wicket, the Titans got two left-handers in the middle and the move worked well. The inherent danger they posed kept the left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner out and with that they proceeded to forge a handy partnership. Sudharsan had brought up a 28-ball fifty while Sundar found his mojo against Boult. He hit the experienced pacer for back-to-back sixes followed by a four that eased some load off Sudharsan who had carried the chase otherwise. The duo were going at close to 12 an over and threatening to break open the chase when Pandya was forced to bring back his talisman Jasprit Bumrah. And the pacer delivered a crucial blow once again yorking Sundar on 48 and bringing MI back in the game.

Death Overs - MI's bowlers seal the tight finish

Phase Score: 47/3 (RR:9.4; 4s/6s:4/2)

Collectively, MI's bowlers were on top of their game through the end overs. It helped their cause that the well-set Sudharsan missed a scoop and was out bowled on 80 against Richard Gleeson. But the young Ashwani Kumar complemented the experienced Bumrah to stitch together some quiet moments through the end overs that added to the pressure building up. Boult got the resultant success with Sherfane Rutherford swinging him to deepmidwicket at the start of the penultimate over. But a towering six from Shahrukh Khan brought the equation down to 24 from the final over bowled by Gleeson, who was struggling with a niggle. The pacer walked off after bowling three boundary-free balls and the over was finished off by Ashwani who dealt the knockout blow.

Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 228/5 (Rohit Sharma 81, Jonny Bairstow 47) beat Gujarat Titans 208/6 (Sai Sudharsan 80, Washington Sundar 48) by 20 runs

What next?

It's the end of the road for Gujarat Titans while Mumbai Indians take on Punjab Kings in the second Qualifier on June 1 in Ahmedabad.