In a high-pressure Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Rohit Sharma turned back the clock with a vintage knock by scoring 81 runs off 50 balls, laced with 9 fours and 4 sixes.
Rohit’s innings provided Mumbai Indians with a strong platform, as he anchored the innings and accelerated seamlessly when needed. His aggressive-yet-composed batting display was a timely masterclass, just when his team needed it most.
As he raised his bat after reaching his half-century, the Mumbai Indians dugout was on its feet. Captain Hardik Pandya, along with team owners Nita and Akash Ambani, gave Rohit a standing ovation, acknowledging not just the knock but the statement it represented, a leader stepping up in a do-or-die clash.
Though he was eventually dismissed for 81 off 50, Rohit’s innings was the backbone of Mumbai’s total, and his return to form could not have come at a better time for the five-time champions.
Mumbai Indians win toss and Hardik Pandya opts to bat first
Meanwhile, the toss went in favour of the Mumbai Indians and Hardik Pandya opted to bat first. With Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks returning home for international duty, Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson made their debuts for the Mumbai Indians. Additionally, Raj Angad Bawa replaced the injured Deepak Chahar.
The Titans triggered two changes to their XI, bringing in Kusal Mendis for Jos Buttler and Washington Sundar for Arshad Khan.
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Jonny Bairstow(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Naman Dhir, Raj Bawa, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Jasprit Bumrah, Richard Gleeson.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Kusal Mendis(w), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
