Right then. Gujarat Titans' journey ends in the Eliminator of IPL 2025, despite being solid throughout the season. Lack of momentum before the playoffs probably hurt them in this match, despite being in a good position. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, came into this match having won 7 out of their previous 9 matches and it was that winning factor which kept them in the game throughout. They now head to Ahmedabad, to take on Punjab Kings on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Qualifier 2 and will hope that this momentum takes them into the final on Tuesday. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (1400 GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Mumbai Indians' ROHIT SHARMA HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic 81 (50). He is informed that every time Rohit has crossed 50 this season, MI have won. On this, Sharma says that he has got only 4 fifties and would have definitely loved to get more. Believes that it was a good day for the team, to get through the Eliminator and take the next step forward. Calls it a team performance and is proud of the same. On whether he looked to lead from the front, given his experience, RS says that when he plays the game, he tries to understand how he can give his best and do the job for the team. Adds that, in this game, after getting some luck, he tried to make the most of that. Praises the team for batting well to get 228 and adds that everyone knew it will be challenging with the dew coming in. Praises the MI bowlers for doing well despite the dew. On the feeling of this being his day after the dropped catches, Rohit Sharma says that he has played all those shots in the games before but unfortunately, have found fielders. Somewhere down the line, he believes that you have got to be lucky and in this game, he got that luck as those catches got dropped. But adds that even after those drops you still have to play well and get those runs. Feels that he was able to bat well, maintain the tempo and credits the batting unit. On Jonny Bairstow, Rohit says that he has watched him over the years being on the other side and feels nice to be on the same side and have a crack at it. Details that MI know what he can do upfront with the bat and it never looked like it was his first game for the franchise. Further says that Bairstow took chances and those came off. Ends by saying that because of that start, MI capitalized.

The victorious skipper of Mumbai Indians, HARDIK PANDYA, says that at one point, the game was even-stevens. Feels that the wicket got better in the second innings and the MI bowlers had to stick to their lines and lengths. Praises the way Jonny Bairstow batted and also how Rohit Sharma batted, taking his time and getting into rhythm, calling it beautiful. Eventually, praises everyone for chipping in well. On his own batting in the last over, Hardik says that he wanted a couple of more sixes. Details that in games like these, small margins like these help. On how to plan the 4 overs of Jasprit Bumrah, Pandya smiles and says that whenever he thinks that the game is going away, brings Bumrah onto bowl. Calls Bumrah to be similar to the house rates in Mumbai, as in, that expensive. Calls him magical. On how to utilize Bumrah's final over towards the end, HP says that he looked at the scorecard and thought about keeping some extra runs at the end. Feels that he had the bowlers to bowl those and if Bumrah could come in and push the margin away, it could help the team and he did. On the recovery before Qualifier 2, in Ahmedabad, Hardik Pandya says that it is very important to recover. Given that MI will be travelling, they need good rest.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Mumbai Indians' ASHWANI KUMAR is up for a chat now. On the message given to the bowlers during the innings break, Ashwani says that the wicket was flat, so the bowlers to keep the line strict. On being asked whether he was aware from the start that he would be the impact sub, Ashwani denies it, stating that probably it was going to be a spinner but because of the dew, maybe he got called in. On his mental preparation on such a late call, AK says that he was just chatting with the coaches and preparing as per the team plan. On his heartbeat during the chase, Ashwani Kumar states that he was just trying to stick to the plan and his basics. On his thought process while bowling the last over, Kumar shrugs it off, saying that all he thought was not to give extras and hit the normal length and yorkers.

The skipper of Gujarat Titans, SHUBMAN GILL, says that Gujarat were right in the game, but the last 3-4 overs did not go their way. Feels that it was a good game of cricket. On the dropped catches, Gill admits that it is not easy when the Titans dropped 3 sitters in the Powerplay, when it wasn't easy for the bowlers to control. On the message to Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar when the dew set in, Shubman says that the message was simple - Play the way you want to play and try to make the team win. Agrees that because of the dew, the wicket did become easier for Gujarat in the second innings. On the positives from the tournament, SG says a lot have come from this edition. Accepts the fact that the last 2-3 games did not go Gujarat's way but credits Sudharsan for being terrific throughout the season. On a par score on this pitch, Shubman Gill feels that 210 would have been par on this wicket. Adds that if GT had contained 1 or 2 sixes in the last over, it would have made a big difference.

Catches may or may not win you matches. But dropped catches certainly hit a nail in your coffin. Gujarat Titans dropped three catches, all in the Powerplay, 2 of those being of Rohit Sharma and had to pay big time for those. Led by Rohit's 81 and powered by cameos from others, MI posted 228/5. Because of the dropped chances, GT could never keep Mumbai in check and the last over, which went for 22, hurt them very badly.

A good game for the MI bowlers to have. They were tested with the wet ball but did not lose hope even when wickets were not coming their way. As always, Jasprit Bumrah stood out, not only bowling well and being economical but breaking the crucial 84-run stand between Sundar and Sudharsan with a cracking yorker. The others went around the park but young Ashwani Kumar managed to hold his nerves even when the ball was travelling. Should MI be bowling second on Sunday, or say on Tuesday, if they make it to the final, dew will challenge them again and this experience will help them a lot.

At the innings break, 229 seemed to be a massive target but the onset of dew made things challenging for the MI bowlers. They struggled to control the wet ball and despite the early wicket of Shubman Gill, could not contain the Titans. Gujarat tried to mirror Mumbai, with one batter aiming to bat deep and that was Sai Sudharsan. Rohit made 81 (50) while Sudharsan made 80 (49). Rohit staged good partnerships with Bairstow, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma. Sudharsan managed decent partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Washington Sundar. In fact, check this out - MI were 206/5 after 19 overs. GT were 205/5. So it was not as if it was not planned at all, but Hardik's onslaught in that 20th over made all the difference.

Champion-stuff display by Mumbai Indians to get past Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. At the toss, Hardik did mention that they have been playing the past few games like a knockout and this was literally a knockout. Set the ball rolling with the bat and barring a brief period during the chase, never looked perturbed. Puts them in tremendous shape to meet Punjab, who were desolated on Thursday.

Oh wow. There is some drama left. Mumbai Indians have won the game but they want to review for LBW! Looks to be pitching outside leg. By a mile. What an anticlimax. If it matters, review lost for MI.

Rashid Khan is in now at number 8, replacing Shahrukh Khan.

Gleeson is leaving the field now, to get his hamstring checked. And Hardik Pandya has thrown the ball to Ashwani Kumar to finish off the pending over. 3-0-28-0 so far.

Boult does love bowling to Rutherford in the IPL. That's the 3rd time in 8 balls that he has dismissed the West Indian. In 4 meetings, he has conceded just 9 runs! Richard Gleeson to bowl the final over. 3-0-36-1 so far. But he pulls up right at the delivery stride and has to reload. Seems like a hamstring issue but he is good enough now.