Sun Jun 01 16:50:00 UTC 2025: **Gujarat Titans’ Tactical Gamble Backfires in IPL Eliminator as Mumbai Indians Dominate**
**Mullanpur, India** – A bold tactical decision by Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill backfired spectacularly in the IPL 2025 Eliminator against Mumbai Indians (MI) as MI cruised to victory. With star bowler Kagiso Rabada absent, Gill opted to open the bowling with Prasidh Krishna alongside Mohammed Siraj.
The move, however, played right into the hands of MI’s explosive opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow. Krishna’s natural back-of-a-length deliveries proved to be ideal for the MI batsmen, who capitalized with ease. While Siraj bowled a tight first over, the remaining overs of the Powerplay were dominated by MI, with Krishna’s second over costing a whopping 26 runs. Bairstow, playing his first game of the season as a replacement signing, particularly punished Krishna’s bowling with three sixes and two fours, propelling MI to a commanding 79 for no loss within the Powerplay.
Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody criticized Gill’s decision, highlighting Krishna’s typical role as a middle-overs impact bowler. “Opening the bowling with Prasidh Krishna was a tactical error,” Moody stated. “He has spent a majority of the season as an impact bowler in the middle phase of the game. Exposing him to two players like Rohit Sharma and Jonny Bairstow, who love that back of the length line, was a mistake.” Moody suggested that utilizing left-arm spin early on, potentially with Washington Sundar, would have been a more effective strategy.
Despite Krishna eventually dismissing Sharma for 81 later in the innings, he remained GT’s most expensive bowler, conceding 53 runs for his two wickets. Ultimately, MI capitalized on the strong start and posted the highest-ever IPL total at the Mullanpur Stadium.
Despite the costly outing in the Eliminator, Krishna ends the season as the leading wicket-taker.
First Piper 