The fifth match of the Indian Premier League 2024 was an absolute package of drama and entertainment. Right from the build-up of the highly anticipated contest, which was much due to Hardik Pandya's homecoming as Mumbai Indians' skipper from Gujarat Titans, where he had previously led for a couple of seasons. A lot of debuts from both the sides were also seen in the likes of Naman Dhir, Spencer Johnson, among others.
The game was a witness to impressive strokeplay, to some pinpoint bowling as well as nimble-footed fielding — the clash between previous season's runners-up Gujarat Titans and five-time winners Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad didn't disappoint one bit.
Of course, one team had to come out on top, and it was the home team, GT. Although the margin of victory was only six runs, there was a lot to be happy and proud about for Gill. With the score reading 107/2 after 12 overs, the visitors were all set to secure their first win in Ahmedabad, with the previous two clashes going in the favour of Gujarat.
All odds were against the hosts - two well-set batters at the crease, the current run-rate being higher than the required run-rate, and heavy dew setting in. However, the hosts managed to pull the game towards their reach courtesy of the way they bowled pre-death overs, with only one of them going for more than a run-a-ball. The death bowling was commendable too, with the bowling unit delivering when its team needed it the most.
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Gill thought that the way his side executed plans with the ball during the death deserved great plaudits, in light of the dew factor playing its part. He even extolled the wonderful exhibition put out by the two spinners in his squad - Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, who went for a combined 47 runs in their eight overs, with the latter claiming the wicket of Rohit Sharma too. For Gill, the task was as simple as piling on pressure and remaining unflustered.
"I think the way the boys held up their nerves in the death overs, especially with the dew coming in, the way we bowled was outstanding. There was a lot of dew. The way our spinners bowled, Rashid [Khan] and Sai [Kishore], they made sure we were in the game always. In the end, it was all about putting on the pressure and holding our nerves," Gill said after the match.
Mohit Sharma has been a revelation ever since he has come: Gill
The Punjab-born was really appreciative of Mohit Sharma, who has been a workhorse for the franchise. Mohit, who started off as a net bowler during IPL 2022, and staged a colossal comeback by being the second-highest wicket-taker during the previous edition of the IPL, almost taking his side to a second IPL triumph on the trot. Gill recognized the pacer's steadfast journey and hoped that the pacer would come good for them in a lot more matches coming up in the current tournament.
"He's [Mohit] has been a revelation ever since he has come, last year as well the way he bowled, hopefully he will continue his form and give us many good matches like this," mentioned Gill.
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