Mumbai Indians (MI) suffered a comprehensive 36-run defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 9 of the IPL 2025 season at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday (March 29).
Chasing 197 to win, MI’s innings was restricted to just 160/6 in 20 overs despite the conditions being conducive to batting in the second innings.
This was MI’s second successive defeat in IPL 2025, and with 0 points from two matches played so far, the five-time champions currently occupy the ninth spot in the 10-team points table.
After the game, Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya acknowledged that his teammates made basic errors while fielding, and that cost them.
“Tough to put it together; I think in batting and bowling we were 15-20 runs short in both places. We were not professional in the field; we made basic errors, and that cost us 20-25 runs, and in a T20 game, that is quite a lot," Hardik said while speaking at the post-match presentation.
Asked to bat first, the Titans got off to a fabulous start as the duo of captain Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan added 78 runs for the opening wicket.
After Gill’s dismissal on 38, Sudharsan (63) forged a 51-run stand with Jos Buttler (39). However, rest of the batters failed to rise to the occasion as GT’s innings was limited to 196/8.
“They (GT openers) batted brilliantly, only a couple of deliveries here and there. They were quite exceptional; they didn’t take many chances, they did the right stuff, and they were able to get runs without playing many risky shots. We were doing catch-up since then," Hardik added.
While the tournament is still in the early stages, Hardik hoped MI batters will take more responsibility in the upcoming matches.
“At the moment we all need to take responsibility; it’s still early stages. Batters have to come to the party; hopefully they do that soon. On this wicket, they (slower deliveries) were the toughest balls; some were shooting, and some were bouncing. As batters, it becomes difficult. They (GT bowlers) did what I did with the ball."
Mumbai Indians’ next match is scheduled against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday (March 31).
