Sai Sudharsan’s Magnificent 63 Leads Gujarat Titans to Competitive 196/8 Against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 Thriller

MI vs GT IPL 2025: Sai Sudharsan’s 63 Powers Gujarat Titans to 196/8

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Titans posted a competitive 196/8 against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025, thanks to Sai Sudharsan’s brilliant 63 off 41 balls. Hardik Pandya took 2/29 for MI.

Match Highlights

• 🔥 Sai Sudharsan: 63 runs (41 balls, 4×4, 2×6)
• 🎯 Hardik Pandya: 2 wickets & crucial run-out
• ⚡ GT collapsed from 165/4 to 196/8 in last 3 overs

Key Moments

1. Powerplay Dominance (GT 66/0)

Sudharsan and Shubman Gill (38 off 27) gave GT a flying start with 78-run partnership.

2. Hardik’s Comeback

Pandya dismissed Gill and ran out Rahul Tewatia to break GT’s momentum.

3. Death Overs Collapse

GT lost 3 wickets in 3 balls (Boult yorker got Sudharsan).

Scorecard Summary

What’s Next?

MI need 197 to win. Can Rohit Sharma chase this down on tricky Motera pitch?

(Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad – Match Report)

In a high-octane IPL 2025 encounter at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium, Gujarat Titans posted a challenging 196/8 against Mumbai Indians, thanks to a spectacular 63-run knock from young gun Sai Sudharsan. The match witnessed breathtaking strokeplay, tactical bowling changes, and momentum shifts that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the first innings.

• Explosive Start Sets the Tone

The Titans got off to a dream start as openers Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill took the attack to Mumbai’s bowlers right from the outset. The duo put together a blistering 78-run partnership in just 8.2 overs, capitalizing on the fielding restrictions during the powerplay. Sudharsan, in particular, looked in sublime touch, displaying his full range of strokes against both pace and spin.

The Tamil Nadu batsman announced his intentions early, creaming two exquisite boundaries off Trent Boult in just the second over. His ability to find gaps and time the ball to perfection was on full display as he repeatedly pierced the field with surgical precision. Gill at the other end played the perfect supporting role, matching his partner shot for shot.

• Sudharsan’s Masterclass

The 23-year-old left-hander brought up his eighth IPL fifty off just 33 deliveries, a knock decorated with four boundaries and two massive sixes. His standout moment came against Mujeeb Ur Rahman when he nonchalantly stepped out and launched the Afghan spinner straight back over his head for a towering 84-meter maximum that left the crowd in awe.

What made Sudharsan’s innings special was his adaptability. As wickets started tumbling at the other end, he smartly shifted gears, rotating the strike efficiently while still maintaining a healthy strike rate of over 150. His 41-ball stay at the crease provided the perfect platform for GT’s middle order to launch from.

• Pandya’s Tactical Brilliance Checks GT’s Momentum

Just when it seemed Gujarat would run away with the game, Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya brought himself into the attack and immediately made an impact. The all-rounder first broke the dangerous opening stand by dismissing Gill for 38 (27 balls), continuing his impressive record against the GT captain.

Pandya’s four-over spell proved crucial in containing the Titans’ charge. His clever variations in pace and length made scoring difficult, and his direct hit to run out Rahul Tewatia for 9 showcased his all-round value to the team. The MI captain finished with excellent figures of 2/29, including the important wicket of the hard-hitting Shahrukh Khan.

• Middle Order Contributions

Jos Buttler, surprisingly promoted to number three, played a crucial cameo of 39 off just 24 deliveries. The Englishman looked in ominous touch as he took on the MI spinners, particularly Mitchell Santner whom he dispatched for a six and an innovative lap shot past the keeper. His 51-run partnership with Sudharsan kept GT on course for a massive total.

Sherfane Rutherford provided the late fireworks with a quickfire 18 off 11 balls, including two towering sixes that threatened to take the total beyond 200. However, Mumbai’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs to restrict the damage.

Check IPL schedule

• MI’s Bowling Fightback

After being taken to the cleaners early, Mumbai’s bowlers staged an impressive comeback in the second half of the innings. Trent Boult’s searing yorker to dismiss Sudharsan in the 18th over triggered a mini-collapse that saw GT lose three wickets in the space of three balls across two overs.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1/28 in 2 overs) and Deepak Chahar (1/39) provided crucial breakthroughs, while left-arm spinner Satyanarayana Raju (1/40) kept things tight during the middle overs. The bowlers were well supported by some sharp fielding, barring a few overthrows and missed run-out chances.

• Pitch and Conditions

  The black-soil surface at Motera offered variable bounce as the innings progressed, making strokeplay increasingly difficult. While the new ball came nicely onto the bat during the powerplay, spinners found some purchase as the game went on. The average first innings score at this venue in recent matches has been around 185, making GT’s 196/8 a slightly above-par total.

• What This Means for the Run Chase

  With 197 needed for victory, Mumbai Indians will need one of their top order batsmen to play a substantial knock. The pitch is expected to slow down further, making stroke-making challenging in the second innings. Gujarat’s varied bowling attack, featuring the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami, will back themselves to defend this total.

• Key Takeaways from the First Innings:

  1. Sai Sudharsan’s classy 63 (41 balls) – the innings that shaped GT’s total
  2. Hardik Pandya’s all-round impact (2/29 + run out)
  3. GT’s middle-order collapse (3 wickets in 3 balls)
  4. MI’s excellent death bowling (just 39 runs in last 5 overs)
  5. The pitch showing signs of slowing down

As the teams prepare for the second innings, all eyes will be on how Mumbai’s star-studded batting lineup approaches this chase. With both teams boasting strong bowling attacks, this promises to be a nail-biting finish to what has already been an entertaining contest.

*The stage is set for an enthralling run chase – will Mumbai’s batsmen rise to the occasion or can Gujarat’s bowlers defend this competitive total? Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling second half!*