Jasprit Bumrah’s crucial spell at the death helped the Mumbai Indians defeat the Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in the Eliminator. Ravi Ashwin spoke highly of the MI bowlers and referred to Bumrah as the “Cheat Code.”
Gujarat Titans were in the flow despite losing both Shubman Gill and Kusal Mendis early. In-form Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar were batting well through the middle overs, keeping the asking rate under control.
With GT in Control, Bumrah Delivers the Breakthrough
With the game slightly slipping away from Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya turned to his go-to bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, in the 13th over, when GT had reached 150/2. In classic Bumrah fashion, he nailed a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Washington Sundar for a well-made 48(24) and conceded only 3 runs in the over.
That over from Bumrah shifted the momentum. Ashwani Kumar and Richard Gleeson followed up with tight lines, and Gleeson’s yorker dismissed the well-set Sai Sudharsan, seen as GT’s last real hope. As the middle order collapsed and the asking rate kept climbing, Sherfane Rutherford fought back with a few boundaries, keeping GT’s hopes alive.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Hails Jasprit Bumrah’s Heroics in Eliminator Thriller
Ashwin: “Bumrah Makes Captains Look Better Than They Are”
But Bumrah returned in the 17th over to finish his spell and effectively ended Gujarat’s chase. His brilliance, combined with MI’s bowling strategy, sealed the match and sent Mumbai Indians one step closer to the final.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravi Ashwin emphasized Bumrah’s value, saying the pacer makes captains look better than they actually are calling him a true game-changer in T20 cricket.
“This game could have gone even closer if Jasprit Bumrah's over didn't happen. The asking rate was like 12, 13, 14 but he gave like 7 or 8 runs in his last two overs. Rahul Tewatia hit him for a six, but still, the way he came back and gave one run in the next two balls — that defines Bumrah.
I had tweeted during the T20 World Cup that Bumrah is a cheat code in today's T20 cricket.”
Ashwin Lauds MI’s Tactical Bowling Call
Ashwin also praised MI’s bowling adjustments, noting how they avoided slower balls due to dew and instead stuck to full-length yorkers a move that stifled GT’s momentum.
“The way he nails those yorkers, changes up his slower balls all that said and done, I think Mumbai also went to yorkers very early,” he added.
Also Read: “You Can’t Replace That”: Mahela Jayawardena Lauds Rohit Sharma’s Big-Match Temperament
Once again, Jasprit Bumrah rose to the occasion. Mumbai Indians are now just one win away from the final, as they face Punjab Kings next in Qualifier 2, set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025.
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