Mumbai: Arriving late to the party, Mumbai Indians registered their second consecutive victory in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League after defeating table topper Gujarat Titans by 5 runs on Friday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Mumbai successfully defended their total of 177-6 thanks to a magnificent final over bowled by Daniel Sams, who conceded only 3 runs and powered the side to a 5-run victory.
Chasing 178, Gujarat openers – Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha were off to a flier as the fifty partnership was up for the opening wicket, inside the powerplay.
Saha did the majority of the hitting and was timing the ball to perfection as the opener struck five fours and two sixes. Gill joined his partner and added a four and six each as GT were 54/0 at the end of the powerplay.
Gill whacked three fours in a row off Daniel Sams’ bowling and then clubbed his second six of the innings in the next over. GT were 95/0 at the halfway stage before Saha crossed his half-century and the hundred-partnership was up for the opening wicket.
Mumbai Indians finally found the breakthrough after Gill was caught in the outfield off Murugan Ashwin’s bowling. Ashwin claimed his second wicket after Saha departed in a similar fashion.
Sai Sudharsan, the next batter, crunched a maximum straight down the ground before the left-handed batter was out hit-wicket against Kieron Pollard’s bowling. Hardik Pandya was run-out by Ishan Kishan’s direct hit as GT needed 20 off the final two overs.
Miller dispatched a maximum in the penultimate over which brought the equation down to 9 off 6 balls. Daniel Sams only conceded 3 runs in the final over and helped MI register a 5-run victory.