The most anticipated match of the IPL 2024 has truly delivered. From watching Hardik Pandya give commands to Rohit Sharma to seeing Shubman Gill blossom as a leader. The battle between Pandya’s ‘old’ and ‘new’ franchises was as riveting as it gets. Whether it be a bowling masterclass from Jasprit Bumrah or Umesh Yadav holding his nerve in the final over, the GT vs MI match was a seesaw battle.
GT vs MI: Escape or choke?
5 overs, 43 runs needed, and 7 wickets in hand. This was the equation for the Mumbai Indians. Yet Hardik Pandya and co. somehow still managed to lose. While MI will rue the lost opportunity, one has to heap praise on Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill. The 24-year-old skipper was brave enough to keep a short leg in place in the 17th over, going for broke.
But an equal amount of credit also has to go to Mohit Sharma, Spencer Johnson, Rashid Khan, and Umesh Yadav. MI, who last won a season opener in 2015, hasn’t changed much in their opening matches despite seeing a change in leadership. With a thrilling 6-run win, GT has moved to the fourth spot on the points table.
Jasprit Bumrah: The IPL Beast
Returning to the biggest cricket league in the world, no problem, said Jasprit Bumrah. The Mumbai Indians pace spearhead rocked the Gujarat Titans at their home. The unorthodox fast bowler was unplayable wherever he came in to bowl. He bowled his first over in the 4th over and produced a gem of a delivery to send Wriddhiman Saha into the hut.
He returned in the 13th over and gave up just 2 runs. His next over (17th) was even better, as we sent David Miller and Sai Sudharsan back to the pavilion. He finished his spell with a 6-run over, and his figures read 4-0-13-3. The pacer also became the bowler to take most 3-fers in the league’s history and the second MI bowler to take 150 or more wickets.
