Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif defended Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill despite their loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the IPL 2025 Eliminator clash. The cricketer-turned-commentator blamed Gujarat Titans’ bowlers for their lackluster performance in the knockout match.
Gujarat lost to Mumbai Indians by 20 runs in the IPL 2025 Eliminator at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Friday, May 30. Chasing a target of 229, the Titans were bowled out for 208 runs, ending Gujarat’s campaign in the marquee tournament.
Mohammad Kaif took to social media to defend the Gujarat Titans’ batsmen. He pointed out that GT had conceded large totals in their last six innings and said the team’s struggles were due to the bowlers and fielders, not the batsmen.
"It's been said that GT's strength has been their bowling but numbers tell a different story. Runs conceded by GT in last 6 innings: 212, 199, 155, 235, 230 and 228. Bowlers and fielders let them down, not batters. #MIvsGT," Kaif wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
It's been said that GT's strength has been their bowling but numbers tell a different story. Runs conceded by GT in last 6 innings: 212, 199, 155, 235, 230 and 228. Bowlers and fielders let them down, not batters. #MIvsGT
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 31, 2025
Gujarat Titans had a forgettable day in the field, dropping three simple catches that proved costly. Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis was responsible for two of them.
Rohit Sharma Makes Most of Two Early Reprieves in Powerplay
Rohit Sharma benefited from two dropped chances during the powerplay. Gerald Coetzee dropped the first catch at fine leg in the second over, and another was put down behind the stumps by Mendis in the third. Mendis missed another opportunity when he dropped Suryakumar Yadav on 25.
Rohit capitalised on the chances and scored 81 runs off 50 balls, including nine fours and four sixes. His match-defining knock earned him the Player of the Match award.
He received support from Jonny Bairstow, who smashed 47 off just 22 deliveries, while Suryakumar Yadav (33 from 20), Tilak Varma (25 off 11), and captain Hardik Pandya (unbeaten 22 off 9) chipped in with valuable contributions.
Gujarat Titans' Bowling Unit Struggled to Deliver in IPL 2025
Gujarat Titans' bowling unit struggled to deliver in IPL 2025, despite having big names like Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan on paper. Prasidh Krishna and Sai Kishore stepped up as the team's most reliable bowlers, combining for an impressive 44 wickets in just over 100 overs.
However, GT’s overall bowling performance declined due to poor form and inconsistency. Mohammed Siraj was ineffective in the final stretch of the season, managing just one wicket in his last four games and conceding runs at over nine per over.
Rashid Khan also had a below-par season, finishing with fewer than 10 wickets for the first time in his IPL career. Gerald Coetzee and Arshad Khan proved expensive, recording economy rates of 10.92 and 10.33, respectively.
In the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians, Prasidh Krishna conceded 53 runs in his four overs. He picked up two wickets but was punished by Jonny Bairstow, who smashed him for three sixes and two fours in a single over.
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