Despite a fiery and economical spell from their Pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, the Mumbai Indians succumbed to a heart-breaking 3-wicket defeat against the Gujarat Titans in a rain-affected thriller at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. Bumrah’s exceptional performance, where he picked up two crucial wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs, almost single-handedly dragged MI back into a game that seemed to be slipping away.
Gujarat Titans, chasing a revised target of 147 in 19 overs due to rain interruptions, were cruising at 113/2 when Bumrah was reintroduced into the attack. With GT skipper Shubman Gill looking well-set on 43, Bumrah produced a peach of a delivery that nipped back sharply to castle the in-form batter. This crucial breakthrough injected much-needed momentum into the MI bowling attack.
Bumrah wasn’t done yet. In his next over, he dismissed the dangerous Shahrukh Khan with another excellent delivery, cleaning up his stumps. His two wickets in quick succession put the brakes on GT’s chase and brought MI right back into the contest, sparking hope amongst the home crowd.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar lauded Bumrah’s spell, calling him the “Brahmastra” of both Team India and Mumbai Indians. He highlighted Bumrah’s ability to deliver under pressure and his knack for picking up crucial wickets at pivotal moments in the game.
However, despite Bumrah’s brilliance and valuable contributions from Trent Boult (2/22) and concussion substitute Ashwani Kumar (2/28), MI couldn’t close out the game. The final over saw GT needing 15 runs, and despite a wicket falling, they managed to snatch victory on the very last ball, courtesy of some wayward bowling and a missed run-out opportunity.
Bumrah’s figures of 2/19 were a testament to his skill and control, especially considering the context of a rain-interrupted match where momentum kept shifting. He maintained tight lines and lengths, making it difficult for the GT batsmen to score freely. His ability to pick up key wickets of set batsmen like Gill and the power-hitting Shahrukh Khan showcased his importance to the MI side.
While the loss would be a bitter pill to swallow for Mumbai Indians, they can take heart from the exceptional form of Jasprit Bumrah. His performance yesterday was a reminder of his world-class quality and his ability to influence games with his bowling prowess. As MI heads into the crucial final stages of the IPL, they will be heavily reliant on Bumrah to deliver more match-winning spells. However, they would also need better support from the other bowlers and more clinical execution in crucial moments to convert Bumrah’s brilliance into victories.
