TATA IPL 2025 season reached its ninth match on March 29, 2025, with Gujarat Titans (GT) facing off against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This clash between two powerhouse teams promised fireworks, and it delivered in spades. With both sides desperate to register their first win of the season after opening losses, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. GT emerged victorious by a commanding 36 runs, thanks to a disciplined bowling effort and a competitive total set by their batsmen. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring standout performances, tactical brilliance, and moments of pure T20 drama.
Pre-Match Context: A Battle of Redemption
Coming into the game, Gujarat Titans were reeling from an 11-run defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS), where they fell short chasing a daunting 243. Captain Shubman Gill, despite a brisk 33 off 14 balls in that game, couldn’t steer his team to victory, and the pressure was mounting on the young skipper to deliver at home. GT’s squad boasted a mix of explosive batsmen like Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, alongside a lethal bowling attack spearheaded by Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, had succumbed to a four-wicket loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their opener. Hardik Pandya, returning as MI captain after missing the first game due to an over-rate penalty from the previous season, faced a hostile Ahmedabad crowd—echoing the boos he endured in 2024 after switching from GT to MI. MI’s batting lineup, featuring stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, had faltered against CSK, and their bowlers struggled to contain the opposition. This match was a chance for redemption, and Pandya was determined to silence his detractors.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, bathed in floodlights and buzzing with over 100,000 passionate fans, set the stage for a blockbuster showdown. With dew expected to play a role later in the evening, the toss was crucial—and Hardik Pandya won it, opting to bowl first on a pitch known for favoring batsmen but offering some early assistance to pacers.
Gujarat Titans’ Innings: Sai Sudharsan Shines, Gill Sets the Tone
GT’s innings began with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan opening the batting, tasked with providing a solid foundation. Gill, eager to make a statement, started aggressively, dispatching Trent Boult for a boundary off the first ball. His intent was clear as he lofted Deepak Chahar over mid-off for a six in the second over, racing to 20 off 10 balls. Sudharsan, meanwhile, played the anchor role, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary.
MI’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, fought back in the powerplay. Jos Buttler joined Sudharsan, and the duo stitched together a crucial 54-run partnership. Buttler, making his GT debut season impactful, smashed three fours and a six off Hardik Pandya, showcasing his trademark aggression. However, just as he looked set for a big score, Mujeeb Ur Rahman—introduced as a surprise weapon—trapped him lbw for 39 off 28 balls, breaking the partnership at 110/2 in the 13th over.
Sudharsan took charge thereafter, reaching his half-century off 38 balls with a deft flick through midwicket off Trent Boult. His innings was a blend of elegance and resilience, adapting to the slowing pitch as MI’s spinners, Mitchell Santner and Mujeeb, tightened the screws. GT lost wickets in clusters in the middle overs—Rahul Tewatia (12) and Shahrukh Khan (8) fell cheaply to Pandya and Santner, respectively—but Sudharsan held firm.
The late flourish came from Sherfane Rutherford, who smashed 18 off 9 balls, including a massive six off Bumrah in the 19th over. Sudharsan’s vigil ended in the final over when he holed out to long-on off Pandya for a well-made 63 off 41 balls. GT finished at 196/8, with Pandya (2/29) and Mujeeb (2/34) being the pick of MI’s bowlers. While the total was competitive, the consensus at the innings break was that MI’s deep batting lineup could chase it down, especially with dew likely to aid the second innings.
Mumbai Indians’ Chase: Early Promise Fades Quickly
MI’s chase began with Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton at the crease, facing a disciplined GT bowling attack. Mohammed Siraj struck early, removing Rohit for 9 in the second over, caught at mid-off after mistiming a lofted cover drive. Rickelton and Tilak Varma steadied the ship briefly, with Varma smashing two boundaries off Kagiso Rabada in the fourth over. At 30/1 after four overs, MI were in the game, but the required run rate was already creeping up.
The turning point came in the sixth over when Rashid Khan was introduced. The Afghan maestro struck with his second ball, trapping Rickelton lbw for 12. MI slumped to 42/2, and the pressure mounted. Suryakumar Yadav, desperate to regain form after a lean patch, joined Varma, and the duo attempted to counterattack. Varma’s fluent 25 off 18 balls included a glorious cover drive off Siraj, while Yadav cracked a six off Prasidh Krishna to signal intent. However, just as MI fans began to hope, Varma fell to Krishna in the ninth over, caught at deep midwicket, leaving MI at 67/3.
Yadav’s stay was short-lived too. Rashid Khan returned in the 11th over and bowled a peach of a googly, beating Yadav’s forward defense to crash into the stumps. At 84/4, MI were in deep trouble, needing 113 runs off 54 balls. Hardik Pandya, walking out to a chorus of boos, tried to rally his side with a quickfire 22 off 15 balls, including a towering six off Rabada. But GT’s bowlers refused to relent—Krishna struck again, dismissing Will Jacks (10) in the 14th over, and MI slipped to 110/5.
The final nail in MI’s coffin came in the 17th over when Pandya miscued a lofted shot off Gerald Coetzee, caught at long-on. With 67 runs needed off the last three overs, the chase was effectively over. Naman Dhir (15*) and Mitchell Santner (8*) swung hard but could only manage 160/6 by the end of 20 overs. GT’s bowlers shared the spoils—Rashid Khan (2/28), Prasidh Krishna (2/32), and Siraj (1/25) were outstanding, while Rabada and Coetzee kept the MI batsmen on a tight leash.
Key Moments and Turning Points
- Gill’s Early Assault: Shubman Gill’s 38 off 24 balls set the tone for GT’s innings, putting MI’s pacers under pressure in the powerplay.
- Sudharsan-Buttler Partnership: The 54-run stand between Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler stabilized GT after Gill’s departure, pushing them past 100 in the 13th over.
- Rashid Khan’s Double Strike: Rashid’s dismissals of Rickelton and Yadav in quick succession derailed MI’s chase, shifting momentum decisively in GT’s favor.
- Pandya’s Exit: Hardik Pandya’s dismissal in the 17th over extinguished MI’s faint hopes, sealing their fate with 36 runs still to defend.
Standout Performers
- Sai Sudharsan (GT): The Player of the Match, Sudharsan’s 63 off 41 balls was the backbone of GT’s total. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed showcased his maturity beyond his years.
- Rashid Khan (GT): With 2/28 in four overs, Rashid proved once again why he’s a T20 legend. His spell broke MI’s batting spine at a critical juncture.
- Hardik Pandya (MI): Despite the loss, Pandya’s 2/29 with the ball and 22 off 15 with the bat showed glimpses of his all-round prowess, though it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Tactical Insights
GT’s decision to rely on their spinners in the middle overs paid off handsomely. Rashid Khan and Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore (1/20) exploited the slowing pitch, while their pacers bowled clever variations in the death overs. MI, meanwhile, struggled with their bowling plans—Bumrah was underutilized in the middle overs, and their spinners couldn’t match GT’s control. Pandya’s captaincy came under scrutiny again, with his field placements and bowling changes failing to stem GT’s momentum.
Post-Match Reflections
For Gujarat Titans, this win was a much-needed boost after their opening defeat. Shubman Gill praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We adapted well to the conditions, and the bowlers executed their plans brilliantly.” Hardik Pandya, visibly disappointed, admitted MI’s batting let them down: “We started well but lost too many wickets in the middle. Credit to GT—they outplayed us.”
Thrilling the home crowd with a performance to cherish 🤩
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 29, 2025
Gujarat Titans get their #TATAIPL 2025 campaign off the mark 💪
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/lDF4SwnuVR #GTvMI | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/iy60R0cOwZ
The Ahmedabad crowd reveled in GT’s triumph, with the victory serving as sweet revenge against Pandya, their former hero turned MI skipper. For MI, the loss marked their second straight defeat, raising early questions about their campaign strategy.
Conclusion
TATA IPL 2025 reached its ninth match on March 29, with Gujarat Titans (GT) vs. Mumbai Indians (MI) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Stay updated with IPL Live Cricket Score and match highlights.
Match 9 of the TATA IPL 2025 will be remembered as a classic David vs. Goliath battle, with Gujarat Titans toppling the mighty Mumbai Indians in a display of skill and composure. Sai Sudharsan’s class, Rashid Khan’s wizardry, and a collective bowling effort handed GT a 36-run win that reverberated across the IPL landscape. As the tournament progresses, this result could prove to be a turning point for GT, while MI will need to regroup quickly to salvage their season. At the Narendra Modi Stadium, March 29, 2025, belonged to the Titans—a night of exhilarating cricket that left fans craving more.
