On March 29, 2025, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed a gripping IPL 2025 Match 9 clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Mumbai Indians (MI). GT emerged victorious by 36 runs, handing MI their second straight loss of the season. Shubman Gill’s men outclassed Hardik Pandya’s side in a high-octane encounter that showcased batting brilliance and bowling grit. Here’s how it all unfolded.
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Toss and Early Moves
MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bowl, banking on dew to aid their chase at Ahmedabad’s run-friendly venue. GT stuck with their unchanged XI from their Punjab Kings loss, while MI welcomed Pandya back after his ban, replacing Robin Minz with the skipper’s all-round prowess. The stage was set for a showdown, with Pandya facing his former team on their home turf.
GT’s Batting: Sudharsan Shines, Late Wobble Contained
GT’s innings kicked off with fireworks as Shubman Gill (33 off 14) and Jos Buttler (39 off 25) set a brisk pace. Sai Sudharsan then took charge, crafting a superb 63 off 41 balls—his wristy strokeplay peppering the boundaries (4 fours, 2 sixes). Hardik Pandya struck back for MI, dismissing Gill and running out Rahul Tewatia (9), finishing with 2/29. Trent Boult’s searing yorker got Sudharsan in the 18th over, triggering a mini-collapse—Sherfane Rutherford (18) fell soon after. Yet, GT rallied to post a challenging 196/8 in 20 overs, thanks to late cameos from Rashid Khan and Shahrukh Khan.
MI’s Chase: Siraj and Prasidh Derail Early Hopes
Chasing 197, MI needed their big guns—Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav—to fire. Instead, Mohammed Siraj struck early, removing both openers cheaply, leaving MI reeling at 35/2 after 4.5 overs. Tilak Varma (25) and Suryakumar (29 off 26) tried to rebuild, but Prasidh Krishna’s double blow—dismissing Tilak and Naman Dhir—shifted momentum. Hardik Pandya (19*) fought valiantly, but Rashid Khan’s tight spell (1/20) and R Sai Kishore’s guile choked MI’s middle order. They limped to 160/6 in 20 overs, falling 36 runs short.
Pitch and Conditions: Ahmedabad’s Two Faces
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch lived up to its billing—flat early, aiding GT’s 196, but offering grip for spinners later. Dew played a role, but not enough to salvage MI’s chase. With 20 of 36 IPL wins here favoring the chasing side, MI’s early collapse proved costly. The warm night (28-36°C) kept the crowd buzzing, but GT’s bowlers stole the show.
Key Performers
Sai Sudharsan (GT): 63 off 41—Player of the Match for his match-defining knock.
Hardik Pandya (MI): 2/29 and a run-out—valiant but not enough.
Prasidh Krishna (GT): 2/18—game-changing spell in the middle overs.
Mohammed Siraj (GT): Early wickets set the tone.
Head-to-Head: GT’s Ahmedabad Fortress Stands
GT extended their perfect 4-0 record against MI at Ahmedabad, now leading 4-2 overall. MI’s last win over GT here remains elusive, and Pandya’s homecoming couldn’t break the streak. This loss echoes MI’s 6-run defeat in 2024 at the same venue under Pandya’s captaincy.
What’s Next?
GT (1-1) head to Bengaluru to face RCB on April 2, buoyed by this win. MI (0-2) return to Wankhede to host KKR on March 31, desperate to avoid a third straight loss. Pandya’s tactics will be under scrutiny after another faltering chase.
Final Thoughts
Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans in Match 9 was a tale of GT’s resilience—Sudharsan’s class, Siraj’s fire, and Rashid’s magic outshone MI’s star-studded lineup. Pandya’s return couldn’t spark MI, leaving fans wondering if their season can turn around. Who was your standout? Can MI rebound? Share below!
