GT Vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator: Rohit Sharma 'Proud Of Complete Team Effort' After Match-Winning Knock

MI's veteran opener smashed 81 off just 50 balls, hitting 9 fours and 4 sixes, to anchor the team to a commanding total of 228/5. Gujarat바카라�s chase was strong in patches, led by Sai Sudharsan바카라�s 80, but fell short at 208/6 as Mumbai advanced to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2.

Rohit Sharma's Match-Winning Knock In GT Vs MI, IPL 2025 Eliminator

Rohit바카라�s knock was not just his fifth fifty of the season but clearly his best --an attacking effort that arrived just when it mattered most, earning him the Player of the Match honour. 바카라�Would바카라�ve loved to score more fifties, Good day for us as a team바카라� Rohit said after the game.

Though it was his match-winning innings that stole the spotlight, Sharma was quick to applaud the entire squad. 바카라�I do understand the importance of playing this Eliminator and going through this and taking the next step forward. Really proud of a complete team effort," he said.

The innings, however, wasn바카라�t without drama. Rohit was dropped twice early -- once by Gerald Coetzee in the deep and again by Kusal Mendis behind the stumps -- but he made full use of the luck he got.

바카라�Somewhere down the line, you바카라�ve got to be lucky and today was that day for me," he admitted. I got lucky as those catches were dropped, but even after that, you바카라�ve got to play. I was focusing on keeping the momentum and tempo going.바카라�

With dew setting in during the second innings, MI knew defending the total wouldn바카라�t be easy. But Rohit was full of praise for his bowlers. 바카라�It was going to be challenging with the dew coming. The bowlers held their nerves really well,바카라� he said.

Jasprit Bumrah, in particular, turned the game with a searing yorker to dismiss Washington Sundar and finished with an economical 1/27 in four overs.

The MI skipper also hailed the contribution of Jonny Bairstow, who scored 44 off 27 in his first game of the season. 바카라�Jonny -- I have watched him over the years from the other side. We know the quality he has. Lot of experience playing in this format. Never looked like he was playing the first game.바카라�

Bairstow went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction last November in Jeddah, but was brought in by Mumbai Indians in the eliminator match as a replacement for South African batter Ryan Rickelton, who had to return home to fulfil national duties.

Jasprit Bumrah Is "Expensive"

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya, who has now led a team to the IPL playoffs twice as captain -- first with Gujarat Titans in 2022 when they won their maiden title, and now with Mumbai Indians -- praised the entire team effort after the eliminator win.

He said, "At one point of time the game was even-stevens. I thought the wicket got better in the second innings. It started to come on well, they got into rhythm and we realised we need to hold our nerves and back our boys."

Pandya too lauded Bairstow's surprising return knock. "The way Jonny batted on his debut was special. Ro took his time, and once he got into rhythm, it was beautiful. Gleeson bowled well, Jassi was Jassi, Ashwani and everyone chipped in. We held our nerves," he said.

The MI skipper believed the bowling strategy was spot on, especially praising Jasprit Bumrah, whom he dubbed a 'luxury' for the team. Bumrah picked up the crucial wicket of Washington Sundar, who was in great form and threatening to take the game away with 48 off 24 balls.

바카라�Whenever you think the game is going away, just bring Bumrah. Having him is a luxury -- like Mumbai housing prices, he바카라�s that expensive.바카라�

Pandya also scored an unbeaten 22 off 9 balls to help seal the win. And, with the ball he conceded 37 runs in 3 overs without a wicket.

What's Next?

Mumbai Indians will now face Punjab Kings on June 1, Sunday, in the Qualifier 2. If they win, they will meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3.

Follow the highlights of the match HERE.