At a packed Narendra Modi Stadium here on Sunday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 saw a thrilling match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians. Despite some impressive innings from Dewald Brevis (46), who was bowling in the dying overs and Spencer Johnson (43), the Gujarat Giants emerged victorious by six runs. Rohit Sharma, the deposed captain, scored 43 and Brevis was 46.
Following the return of Jasprit Bumrah to the IPL with a score of 3-14 and Coetzee’s 2-27 to limit Gujarat Titans to 168/6, Rohit and Brevis had taken Mumbai Indians from 30/2 to 107 when the former captain fell for 43 to Sai Kishore. When Brevis was removed for 46 at 129/4, Mumbai needed about 40 runs in 25 balls and appeared to be on track to win their first match since 2012.
However, the Gujarat Titans’ first-match curse persisted as they rallied powerfully in the closing seconds to earn an outstanding victory.
In front of almost 80,000 supporters of the home team, the Mumbai Indians lost command of the game and could only muster 162/9 in their 20 overs, losing a thrilling final over match.
In the 19th and 20th overs, Umesh Yadav and Spencer Johnson both claimed two wickets, preventing the Mumbai Indians from scoring 27 runs off just 12 balls.
Young players Tilak Verma and Tim David were slowed down and gave up some dot balls as spinners Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan bowled brilliantly to set up a close finish.
Verma hit a six off Spencer Johnson over long-on with 27 needed from the final two overs, but was out the following ball after flicking the ball straight to the deep backward square, where replacement fielder Abhinav Manohar made a good catch.
Before Coetzee was bowled by Spencer and out on the final delivery of the match, leaving the Mumbai Indians in a precarious situation, he and Hardik Pandya each scored a single.
When Umesh Yadav had six balls remaining and 19 runs needed, Pandya hit a four and a six. With a well-placed bouncer, Tewatia caught the Mumbai Indians captain close to the boundary, but the seasoned bowler had the last laugh. With Hardik out for 11 off 4 balls, Mumbai Indians needed to score nine from 3 balls. The next delivery from Umesh Yadav was another short ball, and Piyush Chawla hit it straight to Rashid Khan at mid-wicket. The Mumbai Indians could only muster two runs off the final two deliveries, ultimately losing by six runs.
Mumbai Indians lost Kishan Kishan (0) early while chasing a respectable total of 169 with the dew predicted to play a significant impact. However, Rohit Sharma maintained them in the hunt with a controlled innings, combining caution with some outstanding strokeplay. Together, he and Brevis scored 77 runs for the third wicket while keeping the pace high.
However, Brevis and Rohit both left the game at the worst possible moment, missing out on well-earned half-centuries. After that, the Mumbai Indians lost their way and lost the thrilling encounter.
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