Magazine : 
TATA IPL 2024: Gujarat Giants Triumph over Mumbai Indians by six Runs
Despite notable performances from deposed captain Rohit Sharma (43) and Dewald Brevis (46), Mumbai Indians faltered against exceptional death overs bowling by Spencer Johnson and Umesh Yadav, ultimately conceding a six-run victory to Gujarat Giants in an exhilarating Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
Following Jasprit Bumrah's impressive return to the IPL with figures of 3-14, having missed the previous season, and Coetzee's contribution of 2-27 that restricted Gujarat Titans to 168/6, Rohit and Brevis steered Mumbai Indians from 30/2 to 107. However, Rohit, the former Mumbai Indians captain, was dismissed for 43 by Sai Kishore, and when Brevis fell for 46 at 129/4, Mumbai found themselves needing approximately 40 runs in 25 balls, appearing well-positioned to secure their first victory since 2012.
However, the streak of first-match misfortune persisted as Gujarat Titans rallied strongly in the closing stages, clinching a remarkable victory. Despite playing in front of a boisterous crowd of over 80,000 supporters rooting for the home team, Mumbai Indians faltered in controlling the game, ultimately posting a total of 162/9 in their allotted 20 overs, succumbing to a thrilling last-over defeat. Spencer Johnson and Umesh Yadav each secured two wickets in the 19th and 20th overs, stifling Mumbai Indians' attempt to chase down 27 runs from the final 12 balls.
With spinners Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan setting up a close finish with superb bowling, youngsters Tilak Verma and Tim David got bogged down and allowed some dot balls. With 27 needed off the last two overs, Verma tonked Spencer Johnson for a six over long-on but was out off the next ball, flicking it straight to the deep backward square where substitute fielder Abhinav Manohar took a good catch. David Coetzee and Hardik Pandya scored a single each before Coetzee was out off the last ball of the match, caught and bowled by Spencer, leaving Mumbai Indians in the lurch.
With 19 runs required from the final six deliveries, Pandya launched a six followed by a boundary off Umesh Yadav's bowling. However, the seasoned pacer had the final say as he dismissed the Mumbai Indians skipper, caught near the boundary by Tewatia with a well-executed bouncer. Hardik's departure for 11 off 4 balls left Mumbai Indians needing nine runs from three deliveries. Piyush Chawla then hit a shot straight to Rashid Khan at mid-wicket off another short delivery by Umesh Yadav on the subsequent ball, resulting in Mumbai Indians managing only two runs from the last two balls, ultimately falling short by six runs.
In pursuit of a respectable target of 169, with the anticipated influence of dew, Mumbai Indians faced an early setback with the dismissal of Kishan Kishan for a duck. However, Rohit Sharma anchored their innings skillfully, blending caution with impressive strokes to keep them in contention. Alongside Brevis, he orchestrated a partnership of 77 runs for the third wicket, maintaining momentum. Yet, both Rohit and Brevis departed at critical junctures, missing out on deserved half-centuries. Subsequently, Mumbai Indians faltered, losing their way and succumbing to defeat in an enthralling encounter.
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