A dramatic hit-wicket dismissal to Kusal Mendis stole the spotlight in Mullanpur as Mumbai Indians edged Gujarat Titans by 20 runs in a record-breaking IPL 2025 Eliminator that saw a staggering 436 runs scored—the most in any IPL playoff. Chasing MI’s daunting 228/5, GT’s early hopes were pinned on Mendis and Sai Sudharsan after Shubman Gill fell cheaply. The Sri Lankan looked in rhythm, hammering two sixes and a four in a brief 10-ball stay. But just as the 64-run stand with Sudharsan was blossoming, chaos struck. Facing Mitchell Santner, Mendis lost his balance attempting a forceful stroke and accidentally trod onto his stumps, getting out hit wicket for 20. The moment was surreal—GT were 67/2 in 6.2 overs and cruising—until that lapse shifted the game’s tone. Sai Sudharsan continued valiantly with his sixth fifty of the season, while Washington Sundar’s 48 kept GT in touch. But with wickets falling at regular intervals, and Sudharsan bowled in the 16th over, GT’s chase slowly unravelled.
MI’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs despite heavy dew. Debutant Richard Gleeson delivered under pressure, while Ashwani Kumar closed out the match with 24 required off the final over.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Earlier, Rohit Sharma’s elegant 81 and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive 47 on debut powered MI to their imposing total. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya added fireworks at the finish. GT’s elimination was sealed by their lapses—none more symbolic than Mendis’ freak hit-wicket—as Mumbai advanced to face Punjab Kings in Qualifier 2.
