Mullanpur (Punjab): Mumbai Indians (MI) secured a crucial 20-run victory over defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in a thrilling IPL encounter at Mullanpur on Friday.

Despite a brilliant half-century by Sai Sudharsan and a strong partnership with Washington Sundar, GT fell short as MI's disciplined death bowling helped seal their place in the semifinal.

With this win, Mumbai Indians will face Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Ahmedabad on June 1 for a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scheduled for June 3.

GT's chase began on a disastrous note with skipper Shubman Gill dismissed leg-before-wicket by Trent Boult for a mere one run, leaving GT at 3/1 within the first over. Sai Sudharsan and Kusal Mendis then attempted to rebuild, aggressively targeting Boult with three sixes in the third over to apply pressure on the MI bowling attack.

Sudharsan maintained his dominance, finding boundaries off Richard Gleeson and MI skipper Hardik Pandya, including three fours against Hardik in the fifth over. GT crossed the 50-run mark in 4.4 overs. By the end of the powerplay, GT stood at 66/1 with Sudharsan unbeaten on 43 and Kusal on 20.

The 64-run partnership was broken when Kusal Mendis was dismissed hit wicket by Mitchell Santner for 20, bringing GT to 67/2 in 6.2 overs. Sudharsan continued to accelerate, reaching his sixth fifty of the season in just 28 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.

Sundar's late flourish

By 9.2 overs, GT was on track with the required run-rate, reaching 100 runs. At the halfway stage, the score was 106/2 with Sudharsan (67*) and Washington Sundar (16*) unbeaten.

Sundar then unleashed a flurry of boundaries, including a four and six off Hardik and two sixes plus a four off Boult in the 13th over, helping GT reach 150 in 13.2 overs.

However, Jasprit Bumrah ended their 84-run partnership, clean bowling Sundar for 48 off 23 balls, which included five fours and three sixes.

Final overs drama

Sudharsan's impressive innings ended at 81 off 49 balls, featuring 10 fours and a six, when Richard Gleeson claimed his wicket. GT stood at 170/4 in 15.4 overs but kept the pressure on with contributions from other batsmen.

With 45 runs needed off the last three overs, GT fought hard. Tewatia struck a six off Bumrah but wickets fell at crucial moments. Rutherford was dismissed by Boult for 24 in 18.1 overs. Despite a late six from Shahrukh Khan, GT could only manage 208/6 by the end of their 20 overs.

Boult led MI's bowling with figures of 2/56, while Bumrah, Gleeson, Santner and Ashwani shared wickets.

MI's powerful innings sets daunting target

Earlier, Mumbai Indians posted a formidable total of 228/5, powered by a resilient half-century from Rohit Sharma and aggressive finishing from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya.

Openers Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow gave MI a blistering start, taking the score to 79/0 in six overs. Bairstow was particularly destructive against Prasidh Krishna, smashing three sixes and a four in the fourth over.

Rohit reached his fourth IPL 2025 fifty off 28 balls, bringing up MI's 100 runs in 8.4 overs and becoming only the second Indian after Virat Kohli to cross 7,000 IPL runs.

Bairstow fell for 47, caught brilliantly by Coetzee, ending an 84-run opening stand. Suryakumar Yadav added momentum with two sixes before being dismissed by Sai Kishore for 33.

Rohit continued to dominate until Rashid Khan caught him off Prasidh Krishna's delivery for 81, featuring nine fours and four sixes.

Tilak Varma maintained the aggressive intent with three sixes but was caught off Siraj after scoring 25. MI crossed 200 in 18.2 overs, with Hardik Pandya smashing three sixes in the final over, finishing unbeaten on 22.

Sai Kishore (2/42) and Prasidh Krishna (2/53) were the leading wicket-takers for GT.