IPL 2025: Like The Old Rolls Royce, Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow And Bumrah Fire For Mumbai Indians

There is a new fascination for match-ups, even in cricket. Gujarat Titans versus Mumbai Indians was about Shubman Gill, the new Test captain and Rohit Sharma, the former Test captain. In Mullanpur, on the outskirts of Chandigarh on Friday night, Hitman showed he can still destroy an attack.

He did offer 'chances' but the Titans made a mess of it. In the end, what stood out was Mumbai Indians defeating GT by 20 runs in a high scoring match. True to its name, this was the Eliminator, and Gujarat Titan fell by the wayside.

In terms of intensity and massive runs on the board, this contest between two teams which had done well in the league phase of the IPL 2025 was a thrilling one. When the aggregate runs produced in a combined 40 overs produces 436 runs, it's like just what the doctor had ordered for T20 fans.

A couple of things stood out, how Mumbai Indians showed intent and that ability where the team played as a unit. Sadly, that was lacking in the Gujarat reply, even though they chased a mountain for victory, 229 runs. In the end, the way MI skipper Hardik Pandya's bowlers responded, with seven men used to arrest GT to a total of 208 for 6 was defining.

The icing on the cake was the knock from the MI top order, where Rohit Sharma, literally riding his luck and seasoned opener Jonny Bairstow shredded the GT attack. Each cricket fan knows, 'Jonny Man' is a terror when he bats and keeps wickets. An old solider for England, he enjoyed coming in as replacement for Ryan Rickleton. The good part, he settled down so well and forged a destructive partnership with Rohit. Runs came in a flurry as the fury from the two openers was a treat to watch in Power Play.

Jonny is the typical old Englishman who knows far too much about pacing his knock in this format. He is almost 36, but age is no number or barrier for restricting stokes as Jonny smashed 47 runs in 22 balls. He had set the tempo with Rohit, which rattled GT. To say that skipper Shubman Gill was flummoxed would be stating the obvious as the fast bowling attack was blown apart where Mohd Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and left arm spinner Sai Kishore also got stick. When you have two stroke makers in action, then it's impossible to break the rhythm.

Rohit scored his fourth half century in the IPL 2025 and still wants more runs to flow from his punitive blade. Forget the 'lives' he got, to make use of the chances and hammer 81 runs off 50 balls, with trademark heaves and hits saw Rohit pull off four sixes and nine boundaries. It was the launch of sixes from the MI batters which helped.

The way the MI team played as a unit with Suryakumar Yadav (33), Tilak Varma (25) and Hardik Pandya (22) scored, it killed the GT attack. Yes, the focus and headlines will continue to be on Rohit as he has just retired from the Test format, after quitting the T20 internationals last year. He is still ready for a few more summers and the ODI World Cup in 2027 is within reach of he can stay fit.

What did come across as a great fightback from the Gujarat Titans was a sublime batting display where Sai Sudharsan, easily the star performer in IPL 2025 flashed his blade and scored 80 runs in 49 balls. They were in the hunt, with aggression coming from Washington Sundar, another 'Madrasi' who plays for GT. As long as he was at the crease and scored, he looked dangerous. But then, the advantage for MI in the trump card which can be whipped any time they need it - Jasprit Bumrah.

The delivery which BOOM produced to castle Sundar was defining. Forget words, watch the video replay to see how Bumrah can win any contest any day for his team, in any format. His bowling was defining, in the beginning and also when he came in the 18th over.

However, on a day when MI bowled with nerves in check and no fuss, Ashwani Kumar, the left-arm medium pacer did the star turn. It's not east come on as the seventh bowler and then bowl stump to stump. This is the 23- year-old boy's first year with MI. He shone like a beacon in his 3.3 overs, where he gave away 28 runs and took one wicket was defining.

Moving ahead, MI will fancy their chances against Punjab Kings for a shot in the final. This match, on Sunday night in Ahmedabad is defined as the Q2 - Qualifier 2. Change in venue and arena, whichever team can top the contest will challenge RCB in the June 3 final.

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The author is a senior sports writer with an experience of over three decades.