Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI) squared off in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, May 26. Gujarat defeated MI by 62 runs and will face four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 final on May 28 in Ahmedabad.
MI skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and invited GT to bat first in the rain-delayed clash. Openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha provided a flying start for GT as they were 50/0 after the powerplay. However, Piyush Chawla provided a massive breakthrough for MI, dismissing Saha for 18 runs.
Meanwhile, Gill hit his third IPL century this season, smashing 129 off 60 deliveries including seven fours and ten sixes, and helped GT to post a mammoth 233 runs in 20 overs. Apart from Chawla, Akash Madhwal also picked up a wicket for MI, dismissing the centurion Gill.
During the chase, Impact Player Nehal Wadhera came along with Rohit Sharma as Keeper-batter Ishan Kishan couldn’t bat after suffering an eye injury during GT’s innings. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami provided an early breakthrough for GT, dismissing Wadhera in the first over itself.
Shami struck again and dismissed Rohit while all-rounder Rashid Khan removed Tilak Varma as MI were 72/3 after the powerplay. Cameron Green (30 off 20) and Suryakumar Yadav attempted to steady the innings, but GT got a breakthrough when Impact Player Joshua Little dismissed the Australian. Meanwhile, Suryakumar played an important knock, scoring 61 off 38 deliveries before being dismissed by Mohit Sharma.
Mohit took four more wickets as GT bundled MI out for 171 runs in 18.2 overs. With the win, GT advanced to the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 28 in Ahmedabad.
Best batter of the match
Shubman Gill led the charge for GT as he scored his third IPL century this season. The 23-year-old opener smashed 129 off 60 balls before being dismissed by Akash Madhwal. His knock was studded with seven fours and 10 maximums.
Best bowler of the match
Mohit Sharma was instrumental for Gujarat in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai. He picked up five wickets, conceding just 10 runs in his 2.2 over bowling spell.
What’s next for both teams
Gujarat Titans will clash with Chennai Super Kings in the final of the ongoing IPL 2023 on Sunday, May 28, while Mumbai Indians will be seen in action in the next season now.
