News India Live, Digital Desk: IPL 2025 eliminator between Mumbai Indians (Mi) and Gujarat Titans (GT) was already very important, but former partner Hardik Pandya And the tense conversation between Shubman Gill made it a topic of discussion. There was a stir on social media when fans saw a peculiar ignorance during the toss, after which Pandya celebrated the aggressive celebration after getting out Gill – which strengthened speculation of the growing rivalry between the two IPL captains.
The play started before the ball was thrown. As soon as the captain came out for the toss, Hardik Pandya extended his hand towards Shubman Gill, but due to Gill’s look at the other, it seemed that he was ignored – the moment was captured on camera and was widely shared online. Things increased rapidly. When Gill was dismissed by Trent Bolt for just 1 run, Pandya’s response was vigorous – maybe much. His enthusiastic celebrations and the clear rejection of not having contact with his eyes while passing by the GT captain gave more air to speculation. “Is this the beginning of a small rivalry?” During the broadcast, a commentator questioned – and fans definitely thought so.
Rohit Sharma caught everyone’s attention on the field amid the dramaticness outside the ground. This experienced player from Mumbai Indians scored 81 runs off just 41 balls and helped the team to score a huge score of 228/5. Adorned with nine fours and four skyscrapers, his innings provided the perfect platform for the explosive innings of Mumbai Indians.
However, Rohit supported his luck. He was dismissed twice – first by Garald Koetzi and then Kusal Mendis – and GT had to pay a heavy price for it. Rohit’s opener Johnny Bairstow also scored a fast innings of 47 runs, scoring 26 runs in an over of the famous Krishna, making MI recorded his highest powerplay score in playoff history – 79/0 in 6 overs.
Despite the high score, it was not easy to defend it. GT chased the target with enthusiasm thanks to Sai Sudarshan’s brilliant 80 and Washington Sundar’s aggressive 48 runs. The two together added about 100 runs and maintained the Titans.
But the bowlers also come when the time comes. Trent Bolt (2/56) did Gill’s precious wickets in the beginning and when the game was hanging in the balance, Jasprit Bumrah (1/27) threw a great yorker to dismiss Sundar – a moment that decisively brought back the speed in favor of Mi.
GT struggled till the end. Sherfen Rutherford and Shah Rukh Khan tried to reduce the difference by putting some vigorous shots, but the wickets on time and Richard Glison and Ashwini Kumar’s fast bowling gave MI victory to MI by 20 runs.
Pandya, appropriately, ended the MI innings personally – scored 22* runs with three sixes in the final over. But the main attraction for many people was not winning or batting fireworks – but the noise with Gill.
In the upcoming international matches, both captains are expected to be important for India, so Hardik Pandya vs Shubman Gill’s story can become the next best story of cricket. Was it just a moment’s passion? Or is there anything else behind the curtain? In any way, fans and pundits are fed on it – and the playoff of IPL 2025 has now become even more private.
Mumbai Indians: 228/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 81, Johnny Bairstow 47; Sai Kishore 2/42)
Gujarat Titans: 208/6 in 20 overs (Sai Sudarshan 80, Washington Beautiful 48; Trent Bolt 2/56)
Results: Mumbai Indians won by 20 runs
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