GT VS MI MATCH 5

Right then, the first weekend of the 2024 Indian T20 League is done and we have witnessed five fairly close matches and a couple of them were really close. Next up, a new week begins in the competition and on Monday, 25 March, Bengaluru will take on an upbeat Punjab team at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!

Sai Sudharsan is the Player of the Match for his gritty knock of 45 runs from 39 balls. Sai says that he feels it was difficult in the first innings but with the dew, it became a bit easier in the second innings to start with but they bowled well. Adds that he is taking one game at a time and trying to get better and reckons that in this game it was about choosing the balls to go big wisely. Mentions that they had more than a few stellar performances in the second innings and their bowlers adapted and executed their plans well.

Shubman Gill, the skipper of Gujarat reflects on his team's performance. He acknowledges the challenge posed by the dew factor but commends his teammates for maintaining their composure despite the conditions. Gill particularly praises the efforts of spinners Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, highlighting their role in keeping Gujarat competitive despite the dew. Gill expresses appreciation for the impact of Mohit Sharma on the team, describing him as a game-changer since his arrival. He credits Sharma's consistent performances, noting his significant contributions in the previous season as well. Additionally, Gill recognizes the unwavering support of the home crowd, emphasizing their consistent presence and enthusiasm, whether during day or night matches.

The Presentation ceremony...

Spencer Johnson is now down for a chat. He starts by saying that he is ecstatic to get the win in front of a big crowd and is really happy that the coach backed him for that 19th over even after going for plenty in his first over. Adds that it is all about keeping calm and hitting that hard length and says that it is easily the biggest crowd he has played in front of. On Shubman Gill, he says that Gill is an amazing person and gave him good advice on the short bus ride from the hotel and reckons that he is a fine captain.

Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai captain, shares his thoughts on the match. He acknowledges that while the team backed themselves to chase the target of 169 runs, they lost momentum in the final overs, which impacted their chase. Despite the setback, Pandya expresses satisfaction with his return to the field, particularly relishing the vibrant atmosphere of the stadium, fueled by the enthusiastic crowd. Regarding Tilak's decision not to take singles, Pandya supports the batsman's judgment, indicating that Tilak Varma likely believed it was best to retain strike for Tim David, a decision that Pandya fully endorses, showing confidence in his teammate's decision-making.

Mumbai will be gutted with that loss and they have mostly themselves to blame. Ishan Kishan let them down early on and then the middle order also faltered. Rohit Sharma really well to anchor the innings and played his shots as well and at one time, he and Dewald Brevis made things look easy out in the middle. Both got into the 40s but couldn't kick on and then the trio of Tilak Varma, Tim David and skipper Hardik Pandya couldn't turn the tide back in Mumbai's favour. Mumbai continue their 12-year trend of losing their opening fixture and this is one record they won't be proud of.

What a game we have witnessed here! An absolute humdinger and it ebbed and flowed both ways but in the end, Gujarat have somehow clinched it. What a morale-boosting win this could turn out to be for Gujarat and the celebrations on the field tell it all as the players huddle up and rejoice. Gujarat seemed down and out when Rohit Sharma and Dewald Brevis were at the crease but that wicket from Sai Kishore turns the tide and from then on they were in the zone. They started off brightly with the ball picking up a wicket in the first over but couldn't really capitalize in the middle overs but the likes of Mohit Sharma and Spencer Johnson came back strongly and Umesh Yadav finished things off really well. Shubman Gill will be happy to get a win in his first outing as captain and he is currently the youngest skipper in this year's tournament.

Bangs in short at the batter, and Shams Mulani looks to pull the ball but gets a top edge towards Sai Kishore at fine leg on the bounce for a single. Gujarat win by 6 runs to open their points table for the season.

Pitches the ball on the length outside the off stump line, and Jasprit Bumrah taps it towards point for single.

Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Umesh Yadav gets two in two! Piyush Chawla walks back for a duck! Bangs in short at the batter and Piyush Chawla slams the ball from the middle of the bat but finds the ball going straight to Rashid Khan at deep mid-wicket.

Piyush Chawla comes out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another turn in the tale! Umesh Yadav sends back the Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya! Bowls a length ball with pace on top of the leg stump line and Hardik Pandya launches it up towards long on but does not get the elevation needed. In the end hits it straight to Rahul Tewatia at long on who takes an easy catch.

FOUR! Umesh Yadav goes for 10 off 2! Hardik Pandya crunches another boundary! Umesh Yadav pitches the ball outside the off stump line on a good length. Hardik Pandya stays back in the crease and crunches the ball to the left of covers for a superb boundary.

SIX! SLAP! Hardik Pandya gets a maximum off the first ball. Umesh Yadav drops it short outside the off stump line and Hardik Pandya plays a tennis forehand shot straight over long off for a maximum to start the over. Game On!

Shams Mulani is the new batter in.