In a match that will be etched in the annals of Indian Premier League (IPL) history, the Gujarat Titans (GT) pulled off a sensational last-ball victory against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on May 6, 2025. The rain-hit clash, punctuated by dramatic twists, showcased GT’s resilience as they chased down a revised target of 147 in a thrilling finish, ending MI’s six-match winning streak and reclaiming the top spot in the IPL 2025 points table. With Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery bowling and unpredictable weather adding to the challenge, GT’s triumph was a testament to their composure under pressure and their ability to seize critical moments.
A Rainy Stage Set for Drama
The Wankhede Stadium, known for its batting-friendly pitches and electric atmosphere, was the backdrop for this high-stakes encounter. Both teams, tied at 14 points, were vying for a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 standings. The match began with GT captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and opting to bowl, a decision influenced by the potential for dew to aid the chasing side later in the evening. However, the weather had other plans, with a yellow alert issued for Mumbai, hinting at rain interruptions that would loom large over the game.
Mumbai Indians, batting first, struggled to find their rhythm on a pitch that deviated from Wankhede’s usual high-scoring nature. The surface was slow, with the ball sticking, making strokeplay challenging. GT’s bowling unit, led by Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, capitalized on the conditions. Sai Kishore’s disciplined spin bowling yielded two crucial wickets, while Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna, and Gerald Coetzee each chipped in with a wicket, restricting MI to 155/8 in 20 overs. Will Jacks’ half-century and a gritty 27 off 22 balls from Corbin Bosch were the highlights for MI, but their middle order crumbled from 97/2 to 123/7, unable to counter GT’s relentless bowling attack.
Rain and DLS Add to the Tension
As GT began their chase of 156, the weather gods intervened. A light drizzle and heavy winds swept across the Wankhede, located along Mumbai’s Marine Drive, causing unease for GT captain Shubman Gill, who was seen gesturing to the umpires as early as the third over. Despite his protests, play continued until the sixth over, when rain forced a halt with GT at 27/1. The interruption brought the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method into play, a factor that would significantly shape the match’s outcome.
When play resumed, GT faced a revised target of 147 runs in 19 overs, needing 15 runs off the final over to secure victory. The rain had made the outfield wet, complicating fielding efforts for MI, while the ball skidded more in the second innings, offering hope to GT’s batsmen. However, they faced a formidable obstacle in Jasprit Bumrah, whose searing pace and pinpoint accuracy had already dismissed Sai Sudharsan early in the chase, leaving GT at 11/1.
Bumrah’s Brilliance and Gujarat Titans’ Fightback
Jasprit Bumrah, MI’s talismanic pacer, was in his element, steaming in with venom and troubling GT’s top order. His dismissal of Shahrukh Khan, who edged a good-length delivery onto his stumps, sent the Wankhede crowd into a frenzy and put GT under immense pressure. Bumrah’s ability to extract movement and bounce on a tricky pitch made him a constant threat, and with Trent Boult also striking early, GT were reeling at 53/3 after eight overs, trailing the DLS par score.
The turning point came in the eighth over, bowled by MI captain Hardik Pandya. In an over that entered IPL record books for the wrong reasons, Pandya bowled an 11-ball marathon, conceding 18 runs, including three wides and two no-balls. This costly over shifted the momentum, pushing GT five runs ahead of the DLS par score and giving them a lifeline. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, commentating on JioHotstar, noted, “That one over from Hardik Pandya has completely turned the tables.” Pandya’s struggles with the ball were compounded by his failure to contribute significantly with the bat earlier, top-edging a slog sweep off Sai Kishore to leave MI at 105/4.
The Final Over Thriller
As the match hurtled toward its climax, GT needed 24 runs off the last two overs. Another rain interruption further heightened the drama, reducing the target to 15 runs off the final six balls. MI entrusted the crucial over to Deepak Chahar, a decision that would prove costly. Chahar, under pressure, bowled a no-ball, reducing GT’s equation and giving them a free hit. Rahul Tewatia and Gerald Coetzee emerged as GT’s heroes, displaying nerves of steel to keep their team in the hunt.
With one run needed off the final ball, Arshad Khan struck the ball to mid-on, and Pandya, fielding, attempted a direct hit to run him out. In a moment of high drama, Pandya missed, and the ball sailed past the stumps, allowing GT to complete the single and seal a three-wicket victory. The Wankhede crowd, known for its passionate support of MI, fell silent as GT celebrated their improbable triumph. Social media erupted, with fans lauding GT’s composure and criticizing Pandya’s tactical decisions, particularly his choice to hand the final over to Chahar instead of a more experienced bowler like Bumrah.
Key Performances and Turning Points
GT’s victory was a team effort, with several players stepping up at critical junctures. Sai Kishore’s two wickets and tight bowling set the tone, while Rashid Khan, despite operating at “75 to 80 percent” of his best, delivered crucial overs to stifle MI’s middle order. On the batting front, Tewatia and Coetzee’s calm heads in the final over were decisive, while Shubman Gill’s decision to bowl first proved astute given the dew and revised target.
For MI, Will Jacks’ half-century provided respectability to their total, but their middle-order collapse and Pandya’s wayward bowling over were significant setbacks. Bumrah’s brilliance was not enough to compensate for fielding lapses and tactical errors, including the failure to capitalize on three dropped catches by GT in the powerplay, which allowed MI to recover from an early loss.
Impact on the IPL 2025 Standings
The victory propelled GT to the top of the IPL 2025 points table with 16 points, surpassing Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to a superior net run rate. MI, despite the loss, remained in contention for the playoffs but slipped to third place. The result highlighted GT’s consistency, as they maintained their reputation as a formidable chasing side, while MI’s six-match winning streak came to an abrupt end.
Reflections on a Classic Encounter
The MI vs GT clash at Wankhede was a microcosm of T20 cricket’s unpredictability, blending skill, strategy, and sheer drama. The rain interruptions, DLS adjustments, and Pandya’s record-breaking over added layers of complexity to an already intense battle. GT’s ability to defy Bumrah’s brilliance and navigate the chaotic final moments underscored their championship pedigree, while MI were left to rue missed opportunities and questionable decisions.
As the IPL 2025 season heads toward the playoffs, this match will be remembered as a defining moment for GT, who proved they could thrive under pressure at one of cricket’s most iconic venues. For MI, it was a reminder of the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in the IPL. With both teams still in the race for the title, their next encounters promise more fireworks, but for now, GT bask in the glory of a last-ball triumph that lit up Wankhede Stadium.
