Mumbai Indians (MI) posted a huge 228/5 in the blockbuster Eliminator clash of the at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh after opting to bat first, giving Gujarat Titans (GT) a tough task in their quest for a spot in the Qualifier 2.

MI's total was built mainly by their star opener Rohit Sharma's knock after the batter got two lifelines early in the innings. The veteran Nagpur-born hammered 81 off 50 balls, lacing his innings with nine fours and four sixes. He brought up his fifty in just 28 deliveries and put immense pressure on the GT bowlers. Despite slowing down his run flow after his half-century, scoring 31 off his next 22, Rohit ensured MI were well ahead in the game by the time he fell in the 17th over.

Opening alongside Rohit, Jonny Bairstow too added a brilliant 47 off 22 balls. The duo stitched an 84-run stand for the first wicket in just 7.2 overs. Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 20) and Tilak Varma (25 off 11) ensured MI continued to attack. While skipper Hardik Pandya’s cameo (22* off 9) saw the five-time champions smash 68 runs in the last 5 overs.

Gujarat Titans’ bowling unit struggled under pressure. Gerald Coetzee had a forgettable outing, conceding 51 in just three overs. Mohammed Siraj (1/37) and Sai Kishore (2/42) also chipped in, but leaked runs heavily.

"Posted a nice score there. After watching the game last night, it was an interesting change in how we were about at it. Good cricket shots," Bairstow, the wicketkeeper-batter, told after the innings on air.