Pressure-proof MI’s mastery of the moments

Pressure-proof MI's Mastery of the Moments

Gujarat Titans' dugout was on edge, despite Sai Sudharsan's steady batting. Hardik Pandya had a big decision to make, choosing between Ashwani Kumar's medium pace and Raghu Sharma's spin. The initial plan was to use spin and the surface's grip to trap them, but heavy dew changed the game.

At 130/2 in 12 overs, GT were not ahead of the curve in chasing MI's 228/5. Sudharsan and Washington Sundar had to speed up before Jasprit Bumrah's death overs. The game-breaker came in the 13th over, with Trent Boult's pace variations failing to stick. Sundar hit two successive sixes, and the equation became 81 off 7 overs.

Then came a brief pause, followed by a Bumrah-fueled flip. Sudharsan and Washington had scored 53 runs off the previous four overs, but Bumrah floored Washington with a nasty yorker. The wicket gave MI an opening that they tore down at the death.

Ashwani Kumar, tasked with bowling two crucial overs under intense pressure, delivered outstanding nine-run overs. Sudharsan fell for 80 soon after, and GT continued to lose their way.

The finisher, Rahul Tewatia, responded with a stunning six off a Bumrah full-toss, but only nine runs came off the six balls. GT lost their way, and MI won their first-ever Eliminator win.

MI has learned to be pressure-proof in such situations over 17 seasons and five title victories. "When you have a winning culture, it's easier to try and have that same thing going through. Even when you get a new group, we still have a very experienced core group within our ranks," Mahela Jayawardene explained.