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An inexplicable batting strategy by Mumbai Indians at the death saw Shubman Gill make an auspicious debut as captain of the Gujarat Titans with a thrilling six-run win in their first IPL match in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) was at his best in his first IPL game in two years, firing his Express Yorkers at will to help Mumbai Indians restrict Gujarat Titans to 168/6 . But Bumrah’s effort was not enough as batsmen like Tilak Varma and captain Hardik Pandya failed to complement his brilliance. MI finished at 162/9 as things went downhill when all they needed was 43 runs in the last five overs with seven wickets in hand.
Therefore, MI failed to break their first game curse. The last time they won their first IPL match was against Chennai Super Kings in 2012.
After the game, GT was ranked fourth in the IPL 2024 table with two points and an NRR of +0.300, while MI was in seventh place.
Rajasthan Royals, who won their first match of the campaign against Lucknow Super Giants in Sunday’s day match, maintained the top spot with two points and an NRR of +1,000. Chennai Super Kings and Punjab Kings occupied the second and third position respectively.
Check the updated IPL 2024 points table here:
While spinners Rashid Khan (0/23 in 4 overs) and R Sai Kishore (1/24) gave very little with the ball despite the dew, veteran Mohit Sharma (2/32) used his variations with different types of slower deliveries. to change the course of the game.
Spencer Joshnson (2/25) and Umesh Yadav (2/32) were brilliant bowling on the 19th and 20th, as Hardik Pandya being relegated to number 7 in the batting order is something that would need an explanation. He hit a six and a four in the last over, but Umesh had the last laugh.
Even Tilak Varma denying Tim David a single is also incredible.
MI lost their first wicket without a run on the board after Ishan Kishan failed to open his account, stealing a delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai (2/27) to Wriddhiman Saha as the pacer set him up with some excellent swing bowling. After testing Kishan with swingers, Omarzai got one to get away and the batsman could only get it close to the keeper.
New face Naman Dhir started with an avalanche of boundaries, leaving the likes of Ravi Shastri enthused in the commentary box as experts discussed the best possible combination for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Having been hit for three fours and a six by Dhir, Omarzai had the last laugh when the batsman was declared lbw after the Afghan opted for a review after the on-field umpire thought otherwise.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma (43 off 29 balls) found one in the slot and bowled Umesh Yadav over mid-wicket for a maximum as MI reached 52/2 at the end of the powerplay.
Dewald Brevis (46 off 38 balls) was also in form as the South African hit sixes off Rashid Khan, Spencer Johnson and Sai Kishore as MI edged closer to the target of 169.
However, Sai Kishore caught Rohit and Impact Sub Mohit caught Brevis and bowled him to bring GT back into the contest.
Tilak Varma (25 off 19) died while trying to force the pace, and MI captain Hardik Pandya also failed to complete the chase after coming close.
Earlier, young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan scored 45 off 39 balls for GT, while Rahul Tewatia scored 22 off 15 balls down the order.
But the evening was undoubtedly Bumrah’s, who missed the entire last edition due to a stress fracture in his lower back.
He dismissed David Miller and Sudharsan in the 17th over in the space of three deliveries, but it didn’t help the final score.
Figuring there might be dew later in the night, new MI captain Hardik Pandya invited GT to bat first, and Shubman Gill in his first game as captain was up to the task.
Looking to make an impact against his former team, Pandya opened the bowling and Wriddhiman Saha (19) bowled a wide ball for offside to start GT’s campaign with a boundary.
Against Gill, Pandya misplayed the line and the classy batsman used his wrists to get him off his pads for a four, as the MI captain conceded 11 runs after his surprise move to start the proceedings at the expense of one of the best players of bowling in the world. , Jasprit Bumrah.
As Saha got some useful boundaries, Gill found the fence with great ease as GT took flight.
However, Bumrah’s introduction in the fourth over gave MI instant success as the leading pacer returned Saha with an express yorker, hitting the base of middle stump. The former India athlete could not bring the bat down in a short time.
Spin came on on Shams Mulani and Gill swung back to cut left-arm spin through covers for a four. The GT captain then went on one leg to sweep Mulani for a huge six over deep square leg.
Piyush Chawla bowled an economical first over even as GT managed 47 runs for the loss of a wicket in the powerplay.
Chawla continued and Gill tried to alter his rhythm but failed. He danced across the ground to lift it but did not get the necessary lift as Rohit Sharma, who is not normally seen fielding in such positions, judged him well to complete a good catch in the deep.
The experienced Chawla caught the big shot with a googly as Gill (31 off 22 balls) returned after poking him, much to the relief of the hordes of Mumbai fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
However, with Sai Sudharsan determined to pick up from where he left off in the title clash against CSK last season with a magnificent 96, MI knew they had a task ahead of them.
(With PTI inputs)
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