MI defeated GT by five runs in a last-over thriller.
It was MI’s second successive win in the tournament after they started their campaign with as many as eight defeats.
Asked to bat first, MI posted 177/6 in their 20 overs with vital contributions from Tim David (44* off 21 balls), Rohit Sharma (43 off 28 balls), and Ishan Kishan (45 off 29 balls).
In reply, GT got off to a splendid start as the duo of Wriddhiman Saha (55) and Shubman Gill (52) put on 106 runs for the opening wicket. However, after their dismissal in quick succession, the Titans struggled in the chase.
In the end, the match went down to the wire with GT needing 9 runs to win off 6 balls and Daniel Sams produced a brilliant last over to seal the deal for MI despite bowling against ace finishers like David Miller and Rahul Tewatia.
“It was pretty tight towards the back end. Very satisfying, something we were looking for all this while. Luck has to turn at some stage; we'll take that win with both hands. Credit to everyone. We were 15-20 runs short. The way we started, we got stuck in the middle. They bowled well in that situation. Tim David finished things really well,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
“We knew it would be tough, but we held our nerves and that was good to see. A lot depends on how the game is going, who's bowling well on the day. Luckily, I had few resources so I could change up. They bowled slower balls and it was difficult to hit. We wanted to do the same. We did that pretty well; it was a great effort from the bowling unit,” he added.
The MI skipper also lauded Daniel Sams, who conceded only three runs in the final over and got the prized scalp of Tewatia.
“We didn't want to look too far ahead. Even today, we didn't play our best cricket, a lot of credit to the bowlers at the back-end. It's important to back the skills you have. Sams was under the pump in a couple of games but I know the quality he has. It's important to back those guys. We are trying to maintain the same squad how much ever possible. Daniel Sams was brilliant,” Rohit remarked.
Mumbai Indians will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their next game on Monday (May 9).
(With India Today inputs)